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On October 2, the University of Arkansas at Monticello hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, bringing political, higher education and forestry leaders from across the state to its campus in Monticello.

Forests in Arkansas support $16 billion of the state’s economy annually through wood products, tourism and hunting. However, increased threats to forest health from invasive pests, changing disease behaviors and climate stressors such as flooding and drought pose risks to this important economic asset. Until now, Arkansas has had no in-state facilities for testing forest diseases and insects.

UAM, a leader in forestry, allied health and agriculture workforce development in Arkansas, aims to serve the state to remedy these issues. The Arkansas Forest Health Research Center is a top facility of its kind in the Southeast United States, leading research for mitigating the effects of insects, disease and environmental stressors on forests.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders attended the event as a special guest speaker and, during the ceremony, highlighted the center’s potential impact on the region, stating, “This new forest research center won’t just improve this school, it’ll drive additional investment into southeast Arkansas.”

UAM offers the only accredited bachelor’s degree program in forestry in Arkansas, and in addition to its master’s program, it added the state’s first PhD program in forest resources this year, making the university uniquely positioned to lead the way in forest health research in the state.

“Plenty of students will come to this forest research center as 18-year-olds, and plenty more will come to upskill or to change their career path or to continue their education journey,” Gov. Sanders said. “Regardless of the on-ramp that they choose, UAM can help them find their path to success.”

During his speech, Sen. Matt Stone also praised the impact UAM has had on many in the forestry industry, including himself. A graduate of UAM’s forestry program, he stated that coming to UAM was one of the most important decisions he ever made. “When I left out of here, I was prepared for my forestry career.”

Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, celebrated the significance of the center, stating, “This research center is an important addition to the university and to the state of Arkansas. It represents an investment in research, an investment in education. It’s an investment in workforce development for the region and for our state. It’s an investment in the people of Arkansas, in all of our industries and, yes, in the wildlife that depend on healthy forest lands. And it builds on something that UAM has been doing for a very long time.”

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration received approval to allocate $16.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to UAM for the construction of the center in February 2024. At the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in October 2024, Attorney General Tim Griffin gave an additional $1 million of state settlement funds. The family of John W. Spivey also contributed substantial support for the addition of the John W. Spivey Conference Center, which will host training and educational events for natural resource professionals and landowners.

“This center has already been hard at work making important discoveries and helping the forest industry,” Dr. Michael Blazier, dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, said at the ceremony. “There are very few states that have a dedicated forest health research center of this caliber, and the unique combination of research, education and outreach that this facility provides is really one of a kind.”

The center is currently estimated to generate $159 million of annual economic benefit for Arkansas.

“We’re going to be providing generations of improved livelihoods with this center by bringing about healthier forests, increasing the workforce in the different industries, continuing education for forest and natural resource professionals and providing important community outreach,” Dr. Blazier said.

“Everyone in this region knows what a powerhouse UAM is,” Rep. Howard Beaty told the audience, in reference to UAM’s longstanding contributions to Arkansas’ forestry industry. “And now we’re going to send that out to the nation and let them know what a powerhouse UAM is in the nation.”

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, Attorney General Tim Griffin and University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees Chair Randy Lawson also spoke at the event and were acknowledged for their critical roles in making the center a reality for UAM. Maxwell Hardwood Flooring and the family of John W. Spivey were also recognized for their generous contributions to the center.

Attendees at the grand opening participated in a tour of the facility, which, in addition to the research wing and conference center, includes a wing of biology and chemistry labs to benefit all UAM students, including those in natural sciences, allied health, agriculture, natural resources and other highly demanded career fields.

For additional information on the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center, contact Dr. Michael Blazier at blazier@uamont.edu or 870-460-1152.

 

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Academics, College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Campus Events, Support and Partnerships