By: Sandra Rice

CONSERVING NEWTON COUNTY

WHERE IS NEWTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS?

ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION Ponca Elk Education

Center Hilary Jones Wildlife

Museum

Ponca Elk Education Center Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum

Ponca Elk Education Center Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum

MISSION STATEMENT Ponca Elk Education

Center Tourism and Education Center

The mission of this center is to be an outlet for the Arkansas Game and Fish Education Division, using hands-on experience and education. Ponca’s center focuses on the natural elements and ecosystems found in its region. The center is part classroom, part museum and part playground, it accommodates people of all ages.

Hilary Jones Wildlife MuseumWildlife Management Center

The mission of this center is Learning To Earn It (A. Slape, personal communication, September 3, 2011). The center focuses on hands-on experience for learning about elk and other wildlife in the region.

SERVICES Ponca Elk Education

Center Exhibits Gift Shop Educational Classes Hands-on Experiences Kids’ Corner Continuous Videos Free Informational

Material Reserve for

Conservation or Environmental Education

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum

Exhibits Gift Shop Hands-on Experiences Continuous Videos Free Informational

Material Guided Tours Open 7 Days A Week Produce Quad Maps Fishing Poles on Loan

SPECIAL SERVICES Ponca Elk Education Center Lecture Programs DVD Continuous

Presentations Festival Featuring Local

Artist Booth At Local Fairs Facebook Website Advertisements

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum Museum Tours Wildlife Games Booth At Local Fairs Virtual Tour Of Regional

Waterfalls Virtual Tour Of Regional

Trials Facebook Website Advertisements

POPULATIONS SERVED Ponca Elk Education Center

Worldwide Visitors

(They have had visitors from as far away as China)

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum

Worldwide Visitors Specializing in tours for local groups: 4-H, nursing home, special services, home schooled children, and local schools

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Ponca Elk Education Center and Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum were both established through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 2002 with individual visions. They report directly to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and are governed by that agency.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Ponca Elk Education Center Mary Hicks does not have a special

degree but received training by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. She has been employed since the center opened in 2002.

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum Angela Slape and Sue Hudson do not

have a special degree but they received training by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. They have been employed since the center opened in 2002.

DIVERSITY Ponca Elk Education Center Wheelchair Accessible Free To All Patrons Braille Accessible Bathrooms Accommodates All Ages Provides Information To Tourist

Not Related To The Education Center

Provides Hunting And Fishing Licenses

Offers Professional Development Hours For Educators

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum Wheelchair Accessible Free To All Patrons Accommodates All Ages Provides Some Bilingual

Information Provides Tourist Information Not

Related To The Museum Provides Hunting And Fishing

Licenses Provides Special Accommodations

For Local Nursing Home Residents

SURPRISES Ponca Elk Education Center

Trumpeter Swans-They were introduced to Ponca valley in hopes they would migrate and return with more swans; however, they refused to migrate and still make Boxley Mill Pond their home.

Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum

The employees made their own recycling barrel to water their native plants on the interpretive trail.

REFERENCESArkansas Game and Fish Commission Logo. Retrieved September 4, 2011,

from: http://www.progressivearkansas.com

Map of Arkansas showing Newton County. Retrieved September 4, 2011,

from: http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com

Rice, S. (Personal Photographs). September 3, 2011. “Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum”.

[Photographs], Jasper, Arkansas.

Rice, S. (Personal Photographs). September 3, 2011. “Ponca Elk Education Center”.

[Photographs], Ponca, Arkansas.