Ozark National Forest
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| Ozark National Forest | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ozark National Forest |
| Location | Arkansas, United States |
| Nearest city | Harrison, Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 35.75°N 93.50°W |
| Area | 1,200,000 acres |
| Established | 1908 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
Ozark National Forest is a United States National Forest located in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, near the cities of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Springdale, Arkansas, and Rogers, Arkansas. The forest is situated near the Buffalo National River, a National River that flows through the Ozark Plateau. The forest is also close to the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri and the Quachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The forest is managed by the United States Forest Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the National Park Service.
Geography
The Ozark National Forest covers over 1.2 million acres in northern Arkansas, including parts of Searcy County, Arkansas, Newton County, Arkansas, Pope County, Arkansas, and Johnson County, Arkansas. The forest is characterized by rugged terrain, with numerous mountains, valleys, and caves, including the famous Cosmic Cavern and Onyx Cave. The forest is drained by several major rivers, including the Buffalo River, Illinois River, and White River, which flow into the Mississippi River and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. The forest is also home to several lakes, including Beaver Lake and Bull Shoals Lake, which are popular for fishing and boating.
History
The Ozark National Forest has a rich and diverse history, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Mississippian culture and the Caddo Confederacy. The forest was also home to several Native American tribes, including the Osage Nation and the Quapaw Nation. In the late 19th century, the forest was heavily logged by companies such as the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway and the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The forest was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, who set aside over 917,000 acres for the forest. The forest has since been expanded and is now managed by the United States Forest Service in cooperation with the Arkansas State Legislature and the National Forest Foundation.
Ecology
The Ozark National Forest is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including the black bear, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. The forest is also home to several endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat. The forest is characterized by a mix of oak-hickory and pine forests, with several wildflower species, including the lady's slipper orchid and the purple coneflower. The forest is also home to several caves and rock formations, including the famous Hawksbill Crag and Whitaker Point. The forest is managed to maintain a balance between timber production, wildlife habitat, and recreation, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the National Wildlife Federation.
Recreation
The Ozark National Forest offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. The forest has over 300 miles of trails, including the Ozark Trail and the Buffalo River Trail, which offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside. The forest is also home to several campgrounds, including the Buffalo Campground and the Maumee South Campground, which offer RV and tent sites. The forest is also popular for water sports, including kayaking and canoeing on the Buffalo River and White River. The forest is managed to provide a range of recreational opportunities, in cooperation with the National Recreation and Park Association and the American Canoe Association.
Management
The Ozark National Forest is managed by the United States Forest Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the National Park Service. The forest is managed to maintain a balance between timber production, wildlife habitat, and recreation, in accordance with the National Forest Management Act and the Endangered Species Act. The forest is also managed to protect water quality and soil conservation, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The forest is managed through a combination of forest planning, silviculture, and wildlife management, in cooperation with the Society of American Foresters and the Wildlife Society.