Yell County group makes clean sweep at Nimrod 

PLAINVIEW — Volunteers from the Yell County Wildlife Federation and Arkansas Tech University banded together March 8 to tackle an area cleanup on Nimrod Lloyd Millwood Wildlife Management Area in Yell County for the YCWF’s annual workday.

Seventeen individuals, including members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, made good use of their four-hour workday, thanks to some heavy equipment provided by the Corps.

“We were able to address many concerns for the WMA,” Craig Davis, wildlife biologist at the AGFC’s Fort Smith office, said. “We removed trash that included storm debris, litter and even some sections of abandoned barbed wire fence. We also were able to clear existing fire lines that had grown up and handle some invasive species removal by cutting and applying herbicide to some encroaching shrubs and plants.

The Yell County Wildlife Federation provided lunch for all participants.

Davis and Colin Gagen, an AGFC biological technician who helped coordinate volunteer effort, were pleased with the turnout on the nice spring morning.

“The group also included a high school student and their parent who traveled all the way from Jonesboro to participate,” Davis said. “At the start of the day, I provided background information on Nimrod Wildlife Management Area, explaining its cooperative management approach. I also introduced the goal of establishing an upland bird focal area and highlighted how the day’s efforts contributed to this goal.”

AGFC Regional Wildlife Supervisor Matt Mourot said the results of this cleanup are a testament to Davis’ devotion to the WMA and to the many people in his community who want to keep public lands clean and accessible to everyone.

“Craig excels in building and nurturing conservation partnerships and in collegiate and community outreach,” Mourot said. “His and Colin’s efforts on this small project are greatly appreciated.”

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