Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Arkansas
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit opened its doors in 1988 as one of four units initiated that year and one of 40 Units across the country associated with Land Grant Universities, state game and fish agencies, Wildlife Management Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The purpose of these Units is to train graduate students in scientific methods of fish and wildlife management, conduct fish and wildlife research, and provide technical assistance.

Over the past 30+ years, the Arkansas Unit has gone through a number of changes. The federal cooperator changed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the National Biological Survey to National Biological Service and finally to the U.S. Geological Survey. The University department changed from Zoology to Biological Sciences and combined with Botany and Microbiology. We have seen nine Department Chairs, five Assistant Unit Leaders, and two Unit Leaders move on.

In 1999, the Unit was reformed under a new Unit Leader (David Krementz) and two new Assistant Unit Leaders were hired (Dan Magoulick, Bill Thompson). With the full support of all cooperators, this new team began a new era at the Arkansas Unit. In 2019, Brett DeGregorio came aboard to fill the Unit Leader role following David Krementz's retirement. In 2023, Brett DeGregorio transfered to the new Michigan Unit, and Caleb Roberts became the new Unit Leader. The opportunities that exist in Arkansas for the Unit are many and exciting. With the cooperation of all parties, the Arkansas Unit will excel in producing quality graduate students, solid research and supportive technical assistance.