News

AGFC conservation scholarships lay path toward bright future

Published

6 months ago

December 5, 2024

Staff Reports

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas students interested in a conservation career may be able to find a little tuition assistance thanks to the colorful wildlife-themed license plates found on cars throughout The Natural State. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Scholarship Program is accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year until Dec. 31, 2024.

The AGFC is giving the scholarship program a facelift this year with a renewed focus on creating a career path leading to a future in conservation.

“In the past, we gave a lot of scholarships that were worth a little money to help college students, but we’ve reduced the number of scholarships available and increased the money each recipient will receive,” Lauren Cannon, AGFC Facility Director at the Ponca Nature Center who is taking the lead in the scholarship program, said. “It will be more competitive, but it will also be more rewarding.”

Incoming freshmen who receive a scholarship under the new format will receive $2,500 per semester, an increase of $1,500 per semester over the previously awarded amount. The scholarship amount also increases as the student progresses in their college journey.

“They’ll get $2,500 per semester as freshmen and sophomores, but those who continue to qualify in their junior and senior years of college will receive $5,000 per semester. It’s a pretty substantial increase,” Cannon said. “But the money increase really is only one benefit of the revamped program.”

Instead of simply helping pay a bill to college registrars, the AGFC is stepping up to become a true sponsor of scholarship recipients through increased requirements and benefits. Scholarship recipients must complete at least 40 volunteer hours with the AGFC during their freshman and sophomore years, and they must complete a 400-hour internship during each of their junior and senior years.

Ava Smith, AGFC Social Science Research Specialist, said the change will make the program become much more immersive to help students on their career path.

“They will need to volunteer or work with at least four AGFC divisions, so they’ll get a good idea of the many career paths available to them in conservation,” Smith said. “A lot of scholarship recipients in the past may have veered from their original intent of conservation, and these requirements will help them discern what path is right for them. If they do decide to go a different direction, then the funds are available for other students who are interested in conservation fields.”

Smith says the paid internships also help fulfill another hurdle many conservation students face post-graduation.

“Hiring for entry-level positions has sometimes been difficult when students lacked the necessary technical or professional skills,” Smith said. “The internships and volunteer requirements will create opportunities for students to acquire those skills, and incorporate training that will create more qualified natural resource professionals.”

Smith says recipients of the new scholarships also will be paired with a mentor at the AGFC who is in their field of study. Mentors will be able to help students hone their college experience into a career path, laser-focused on the opportunities available at AGFC and other conservation agencies.

“The ultimate goal is to build a bench of conservation professionals to one day join the AGFC, but at the end of their college experience, scholarship recipients should be able to hit the ground running with a variety of organizations in the natural resource discipline,” Smith said.

Anyone who currently receives an AGFC scholarship will still be able to reapply for the traditional amounts with the previous qualifications, but they also will be eligible to compete for the new scholarship format.

“We didn’t want to just pull the rug out from under people who were already receiving a scholarship, so we’re allowing them to continue on their path through the transition and apply for the new opportunity, too,” Smith said. “As those students graduate, it will make more room for additional scholarships under the new format.”

All Conservation Scholarship Program requirements and the application and award timeline are available at https://www.agfc.com/education/conservation-scholarships. The AGFC also will host a special applicant webinar on Zoom at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Students and their families can register online. The webinar will be recorded and available upon request. Applicants may also contact scholarships@agfc.ar.gov with any additional questions about the program.

Funded by the sale of Conservation License Plates, the AGFC’s Conservation Scholarship Program has been helping Arkansas students since 2001, the year after the first Conservation License Plate was issued. Since that time, more than $8 million has been delivered to students pursuing careers related to conservation.

News

El Dorado native Emmaline Landes headlines SAAC exhibit

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Staff Reports

SAAC welcomes back El Dorado native and emerging artist Emmaline Landes. Emme will present a selection of paintings from her BFA Thesis, “Hidden in a Handbag,” completed at the University of Mississippi in the Lobby Gallery June 2-27. Join us in celebrating Emmaline Landes at the opening reception on Monday, June 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Landes’s work delves into the nuanced experience of navigating a world where women are relentlessly pressured to embody perfection and conceal their imperfections. Through her vivid oil paintings, she explores how societal molds impose expectations on women, often masking their authentic selves behind curated images of polished perfection.

The series uniquely features the contents of spilled purses—objects shared by friends, family, and herself—that serve as raw, unfiltered portraits of personal narratives. By magnifying these everyday items, Landes invites viewers to confront the vulnerability and stories hidden beneath the surface. The chaotic, overlapping compositions—rendered in bright, youthful colors—subvert superficial appearances, challenging viewers to question notions of authenticity versus societal façades.

“Ultimately, my paintings seek to unravel the complexities of female identity,” Landes explains. “As the contents of our purses are spilled, so too are the incredible stories of the women that carry them.” Her work underscores the tension between private realities and public personas, emphasizing that beneath the masks we wear lies a rich tapestry of lived experience.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a focus on photorealism, Landes is passionate about exploring new styles, materials, and concepts to push her artistic boundaries. She will begin her MFA studies at Southern Methodist University this fall. Her art draws heavily from feminist theory, aiming to foster conversations about societal expectations, authenticity, and personal identity.

Join us for the opening reception on June 2 to experience Landes’s thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and societal pressure. The exhibit promises an engaging visual journey into the stories we carry—and conceal. The SAAC galleries, located at 110 East Fifth Street in El Dorado, are free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

News

May Proclaimed Extension Homemakers Month in Union County

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Staff Reports

Pictured with Judge Loftin are Kay Johnston, Judy Couch and Lauren McGarrh, Union County FCS Agent.

EL DORADO — Union County Judge Mike Loftin has officially proclaimed May as Extension Homemakers Month, honoring the long-standing impact of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (AEHC) on families and communities across the state.

The proclamation was signed at the Union County Courthouse, where Judge Loftin was joined by Kay Johnston, Judy Couch, and Lauren McGarrh, Union County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.

Founded in 1912, AEHC has worked for over a century to empower individuals and families through continuing education, leadership development, and community service. The organization celebrates its 113th anniversary this year, continuing its legacy of supporting homemakers and strengthening communities across Arkansas.

Union County residents interested in joining AEHC or learning more about its programs are encouraged to contact the local extension office at 870-864-1916.

News

Camden Launches Community Housing Survey to Shape Future Development

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Staff Reports

CAMDEN — The Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development (OPED) Housing Committee has announced the launch of a Community Housing Study Survey aimed at better understanding the current and future housing needs of Camden and the surrounding area. The initiative, which began on May 27 and runs through July 1, seeks input from residents, workers, and local stakeholders to guide housing decisions that support sustainable community growth.

The survey focuses on workforce-style housing and is a key step in ensuring Camden offers quality, affordable, and accessible housing options to meet the demands of a growing population.

“Our goal is to make informed decisions that reflect the real needs of the people who live and work here,” said James Lee Silliman, Executive Director of OPED. “Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, business owner, or planning to move to our community, your input is critical.”

Participants will be asked to share their experiences and preferences related to:

Housing challenges and shortages
Desired housing types and price ranges
Preferences on location, design, and affordability
The connection between housing, jobs, transportation, and services

The results will be used to inform housing policies, support grant applications, and ensure future development is aligned with infrastructure and economic plans.

The survey is open to Ouachita County residents aged 18 and older and can be completed in under 10 minutes. Responses are confidential and will directly impact local housing strategies.

How to Participate:

Online: Visit www.explorecamden.com
Social Media: Find the link on the City of Camden, Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce, or OPED Facebook pages
Paper Copies: Available at local restaurants, churches, businesses, clinics, the hospital, library, East Camden and Camden city halls, the courthouse, and more.

City officials and economic development leaders are urging as many residents as possible to take part in the survey and help shape the future of housing in Ouachita County.

News

Hampton Police Department Launches New Online Reporting Platform

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Staff Reports

HAMPTON — The Hampton Police Department has announced a new partnership with MYPDConnect, offering residents an easier, more convenient way to interact with city departments and file non-emergency reports from home.

According to a statement from Chief Tischa Johnson, the new online platform will allow citizens to report criminal activity, city ordinance violations, officer conduct, and more—directly from their smartphones or computers. The system also allows users to give shout-outs to officers, ask general questions, and submit complaints to both the City of Hampton and other departments such as the Mayor’s Office and Water Department.

“This new platform expands access for our citizens and gives them more flexibility to reach out, ask questions, and voice concerns,” said Chief Johnson. “We’re excited about how MYPDConnect will help us serve our community more efficiently.”

The service is being rolled out for non-emergency calls only. Residents have several options to file reports:

Text 870-725-5611 to receive a direct link.
Visit https://hamptonpd.mypdconnect.com
Scan the QR code on the official announcement.

The Hampton Police Department hopes the new system will strengthen community engagement and make it easier for citizens to report issues and stay informed.

News

AARP and South Arkansas College Launch Free Tech Tuesdays Classes in June

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Staff Reports

EL DORADO — AARP Arkansas and South Arkansas College are teaming up to offer Tech Tuesdays, a free technology training series throughout the month of June designed to help participants sharpen their computer skills.

Hosted at the Mahony Family Library on the SouthArk campus (300 Summit Ave.), these hands-on classes are open to the public and will take place every Tuesday in June. Attendees can choose from two available time slots each week: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Those needing access to a computer can reserve one by calling the library at 870-864-7115.

Here’s the full lineup of classes and registration links:

June 3: Computer Component Basics
Register here
June 10: Navigating the Operating System – Part 1
Register here
June 17: Navigating the Operating System – Part 2
Register here
June 24: Technology Accessibility
Register here

These sessions are ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their tech knowledge. AARP and SouthArk hope the initiative will empower attendees with the digital skills needed for everyday tasks and improved access to online resources.