Federal data is complete from 1998-2017. State and local data is complete from 1998-2011. In the tables and charts below, acres are allocated to each program proportionate to the size of the contributions to each acquisition. For example, if an acquisition had two contributions, and each program contributed equal dollar amounts, each program receives 50% of the acres. If you have questions or want to provide updated information, please contact Jessica Welch at jessica.welch@tpl.org.
Profile of State Program(s)
Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Council: The Natural and Cultural Resources Council (NCRC) manages 80 percent of funds from the real estate transfer tax ($2.20 for each $1,000 of value). Any state natural resource agency, except the Game and Fish Commission, is eligible to receive NCRC funding. These funds are also used for cultural and historic heritage programs on state-owned land. The Parks and Tourism Fund Account and the Natural and Cultural Resources Historic Preservation Trust Fund receive the remaining 20 percent of funds, 10 percent each.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: The Game and Fish Commission and the Department of Parks and Tourism (Arkansas State Parks) each receive 45 percent of funding from the state sales tax (1/8th of one cent) for the purposes of land acquisition for recreation, open space and habitat.
Arkansas State Parks: The Department of Parks and Tourism (Arkansas State Parks) and the Game and Fish Commission each receive 45 percent of funding from the state sales tax (1/8th of one cent) for the purposes of land acquisition for recreation, open space and habitat.
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission: The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is an agency within the Department of Arkansas Heritage that provides conservation lands management and acquisition services through funding from the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the conservation tax. The Department of Arkansas Heritage receives 9 percent of funding from the state sales tax (1/8th of one cent). The primary uses for this funding for the Department of Arkansas Heritage include historic preservation, land protection and management as well as educational programming.
Substantial State Investment
Arkansas increased the states real estate transfer tax twice in order to fund projects for use in the acquisition, management, and stewardship of state-owned lands or the preservation of state-owned historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects. The original increase was in 1987 and an additional increase passed in 1993. The Natural and Cultural Resources Council (NCRC) manages 80 percent of funds from the real estate transfer tax. Ten percent (10%) of the revenues are distributed to the Parks and Tourism Fund Account to be used by the Department of Parks and Tourism. The remaining 10 percent is credited to the Natural and Cultural Resources Historic Preservation Trust Fund to be used as operating funds for the state historic preservation program and the “Main Street” Program.
In 1996, Arkansas voters approved a Constitutional Amendment (Amendment 75) that increased their state sales tax by 1/8th of one cent to fund land conservation. Revenues from this fund support the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (45%), Department of Parks and Tourism (State Parks) (45%), the Department of Arkansas Heritage (9%) and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (1%) for land acquisition, conservation education, wildlife management, operating expenses, capital improvements and renovations, community engagement, historic preservation, art education, and wildlife enforcement officers.
Local Financing Enabled
Arkansas gives counties and municipalities the authority to issue general obligation bonds and levy sales and use taxes to conserve land for parks and open space.
Local Programs Included
No county conservation finance measures have been approved by voters in Arkansas. For more information on municipal measures in the state, visit www.landvote.org.
Federal Partnerships
Federal agencies and programs that have conserved land in Arkansas include:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Section 6 Grant
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. National Park Service
- U.S. National Park Service – LWCF Stateside
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)