For The Trees An Illustrated History of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests 1908-1978

The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests cover more than one million acres, hopping and skipping across the state, looking like an Arkansas crazy-quilt. The southernmost portion of the Ozark National Forest runs along the Arkansas River Valley south to the Ouachita Mountains. The northern boundary extends beyond Lone Rock to Matney Mountain in Stone County; on the west, the forest patch???work touches Oklahoma; and, on the east, the St. Francis National Forest falls down Crowley's Ridge to reach the Mississippi River near Helena. Both these National Forests are administered as a single unit from the headquarters in Russellville, Arkansas.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. (click on image for a PDF version)

Over the years the forest boundaries have changed—first because of the elimination of agricultural lands from within the proclaimed boundaries, and later because of land acquisitions made possible through the Weeks Law of 1911.

The National Forests of Arkansas have become a highly valued resource by the ???Citizens of the state. The forests, and their managers, have progressed through a succession of stages—some of them encompassing a growing pain or two.

Southeast from Turnpike Tower. Photo Nos. 18891A, 18895A, by Ralph Huey, 1914.

"In the administration of the forest reserves, it must be clearly borne in mind that all land is to be developed to its most productive use for the permanent good of the whole people and not for the temporary benefit of individuals or companies. All the resources of forest reserves are for use, and this use must be brought about in a thoroughly prompt and businesslike manner, under such restrictions only as will insure the permanence of these resources... You will see to it that the water, wood, and forage of the reserves are conserved and wisely used for the benefit of the home-builder first of all; upon whom depends the best permanent use of the lands and resources alike... In the management of each reserve local questions will be decided upon local grounds;... and where conflicting interests must be reconciled, the question will always be decided from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run."

(Letter of Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson to Gifford Pinchot on the occasion of the transfer of the Forest Reserves from the Department of Interior to the Department of Agriculture, February 1, 1905.)