Lake Wedington Receives Donation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Lake Wedington project, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the public policy Ph.D. program at the University of Arkansas, will be receiving a generous donation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. At 2 p.m. today (February 3⁾, Mr. Bill Ackerman, the Game and Fish Commissioner, along with a wildlife officer, will be presenting the staff of Lake Wedington with an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a boat, motor and trailer. This presentation will take place at Lake Wedington. This new donation is evidence of the growing relationship between the Forest Service, the Friends of Lake Wedington, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the University. Together these organizations strive to manage the forest, land and the wildlife of this increasingly important natural area. As the region continues to grow, the tension between the demand for recreation and the need for natural and historic preservation grows as well. The development of good public policy requires the cooperation of resources in the non-profit, state, federal and university communities. This donation is further evidence of that cooperation.

The University of Arkansas manages the recreation area at Lake Wedington as a learning/research laboratory. The Wedington Project provides an opportunity for university students to get "real life" experience while at the same time providing the best recreation opportunities possible. With this donation, the staff of Lake Wedington can continue to create an enjoyable and safe atmosphere for families that use the park’s resources.

The equipment will be used in the operational and risk management aspects of the Lake Wedington facility. The ATV will be useful in transferring supplies to and from different areas of the park such as the Challenge course and camping grounds. The boat and motor will be helpful in patrolling the lake while patrons are canoeing, kayaking, and peddleboating.

The policy Ph.D. program has been managing the recreation area for just over two years. Employing masters and doctoral graduate assistants, the program is continually conducting studies to determine the "best use" of the facility considering the recreational needs of the area, the improvement of the fish and wildlife and the preservation of the historic structures at the site.

For additional information on this ceremony, please contact Dr. Will Miller at 575-6442.

Lake Wedington Project Web Site: http://policy.uark.edu/lake