In this Arkansas Wildlife Podcast episode, host Trey Reid talks with Emily Roberts, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s prescribed fire coordinator, about how prescribed fire reinstates a natural process historically common in Arkansas and improves habitat by reducing leaf litter, opening canopies, and restoring grasses and wildflowers for wildlife. Emily describes her background, explains how fire suppression grew with settlements and timber protection, and outlines how public perceptions and agency outreach have helped bring fire back as a management tool through partnerships statewide. She discusses shifting some burns from the traditional February–March window to late growing season (July–September) to promote forb diversity and better control woody encroachment like sweetgum. The episode covers burn planning, weather constraints, ignition strategies, the Qualified Prescribed Burner law and training, prescribed burn associations, and examples of managed areas where prescribed burning have been used to great effect.

Host Trey Reid welcomes Colonel Joe Williams, chief of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Enforcement Division, to discuss Williams’ upbringing near Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, his hunting and fishing roots, and the game warden encounter that inspired his career. Williams describes earning a degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, interning with AGFC, entering the academy in 2009, and learning under mentors like former Director Pat Fitz during his 13 years in Ashley County before becoming a supervisor in Calico Rock. He explains game wardens’ community-oriented role as educators and public-safety officers. He also outlines the demanding academy and hiring process. Williams highlights specialized capabilities such as dive team, honor guard, disaster response, accident reconstruction, and canines, and shares how to contact wardens, including the 24-hour dispatch number 833-356-0824.

Host Trey Reid welcomes John Stein, District 1 fishery supervisor in Northwest Arkansas with 24 years at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, to discuss fishery management challenges in a rapidly growing region. Stein shares his background from Northeastern Colorado and his path into fisheries, including early work as a fish pathologist and a hatchery technician at the Andrew Hulsey Hatchery in Hot Springs. The episode covers increased fishing pressure around Beaver Lake, management goals for a trophy striped bass fishery supported by stocking and monitoring, and how frequent high-water events since 2008 have boosted nutrient inputs, forage, cover, and overall fishing quality on Beaver and other White River lakes. Stein explains Northwest Arkansas’s staggered walleye spawning runs and how they create interesting fishing opportunities. The conversation highlights partnerships with the Beaver Watershed Alliance and details securing outside funding. Finally, he describes the Northwest Arkansas Fish Habitat Alliance, which adds an education component by involving schools in building and sinking MossBack fish structures and growing native aquatic plants in school greenhouses. Link for donations to the Northwest Arkansas Fish Habitat Alliance program below.

https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ArkansasGameFishFoundation/NWAfishhabitatalliance.html