Arkansas’s Wild Places

HSV Audubon is pleased to welcome back Kirsten Bartlow, Watchable Wildlife Program coordinator from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), who will speak to members and guests on “Wildlife Viewing in Arkansas’s Wild Places” on June 11.

Many will remember Bartlow’s lively presentation in 2025 on the history of Arkansas wildlife (remember the skunk coat?) and can look forward to learning about the wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities in Arkansas’s public lands, from the Ozarks to the Delta.

Thursday, JUNE 11, 2026

10:00 am

Coronado Center Auditorium

Bartlow will share locations around the state to view birds and other native wildlife and will also highlight a book recently published by the agency: “River to Ridge: Arkansas’s Wildlife Management Areas.” This adventure guide to public lands includes the history, characteristics and surprising details about 118 of the agency’s 138 WMAs. Hunters and anglers are familiar with WMAs but others who enjoy the outdoors – birders, hikers, paddlers, photographers and campers, for instance – might not realize the opportunities these special places hold. 

THE SPEAKER

Bartlow began working for Arkansas Game and Fish in 2000. As the Watchable Wildlife Program coordinator, she develops wildlife viewing areas around the state and teaches people about wildlife conservation through TV and radio spots, magazine articles and public programs. As an avid outdoorswoman – canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, biking, fishing and hunting, to name a few – work and pleasure blur together.

Bartlow holds a bachelor’s degree in middle/secondary education from Kansas State University and a master’s in natural resources and environmental management from Ball State University. Prior to joining AGFC, she worked at Blue Ridge Parkway National Park and North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain.

Copies of “River to Ridge: Arkansas’s Wildlife Management Areas” will be available for sale for $20 (cash only).