Ponca Nature Center

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

📢 Attention Arkansas Schools
Did you know that fine money collected from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) convictions never leaves the county where the violation occurred?
These local violation fines are turned directly into Wildlife Education Grants for schools right in your community!
🌱 What can these grant funds cover?
• Field trips to AGFC nature centers, hatcheries, or WMAs
• AGFC-sponsored archery and trap shooting programs
• Outdoor classrooms, schoolyard wildlife & butterfly habitats
• Wildlife biology, recreation supplies, and conservation materials
• AGFC educator workshops

Grant money is available on a county-by-county basis and amounts per county can be seen on the link below 👇 Don't let these local funds go unused—apply online today!
👉 Learn more and apply here:
https://www.agfc.com/education/wildlife-education-grants/

10/15/2026

🌲 Calling all Arkansas Educators and K-12 Student Leaders! 🌿
Get your students hands-on experience in environmental leadership, hands-on science, and outdoor skills! Registration is officially open for the 2nd Annual AGFC Generation Conservation Summit happening Nov. 4–5 at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena! 🏛️
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Generation Conservation initiative gives public, private, charter, and homeschool students an authentic learning environment to engage with real AGFC programming. Students across Arkansas can connect directly with conservation professionals and go head-to-head in dynamic competitions!
Give your students a stage to showcase their knowledge, build outdoor skills, and explore careers in conservation.
👉 Get the details and register your students today:
https://www.agfc.com/education/generation-conservation/

10/14/2026

Attention educators! 🚣‍♂️🌲 Ready to trade the classroom for the pristine waters of the Buffalo River?

Join AGFC staff for an immersive, hands-on professional development day that bridges the gap between classroom science and real-world outdoor stewardship.

In this workshop, you will:
🌊 Learn to implement two of Arkansas’s premier conservation programs: Stream Team and Fishing in the Natural State (FINS).
🚣‍♀️ Experience a mentored float trip on the Buffalo River.
⚓ Master boating safety, float prep, and paddling best practices so you can confidently teach Boater Education to your students.

Be prepared to get outside and get active!

🎓 Credit: 3 Hours of Professional Development

Spaces are limited for this hands-on experience—register today! 👇
https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1512

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

🌊 Free Stream Team Educator Certification — Ponca
Teachers, spend a day in the water instead of the classroom. AGFC's Stream Team Educator Certification trains new Stream Team Sponsors to lead real water quality monitoring with their students.
What the training covers: • Stream hydrology and how streams work • Natural and human impacts on Arkansas waterways • Hands-on water quality testing to Stream Team standards • Macroinvertebrate sampling in the field
📅 Tuesday, October 20 · 9:00 AM 📍 Ponca Nature Center 🎓 6 hours ADE-approved PD credit + Stream Team Educator Certification 👤 Ages 18 and up 💲 FREE 🎟️ Registration closes October 15.
👢 Heads up: the hands-on portion is in and near the water. Dress for the weather and bring waterproof gear. Waders are available if you need them, or bring your own.
Register: https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1311

10/14/2026

🌧️🦉🐍 Rain, rain, go away... actually, never mind, we had way too much fun!
Clear Spring came to hang out with us today, and not even a little rainy weather could stop the adventure! ☔✨

10/09/2026

We still have open spots for the Professional Development! Get registered this weekend, and spend your Monday morning learning about Arkansas Wildlife!

Free Educator PD: Bring the Outdoors to Your Classroom! 🌿🦉

Looking for fresh, engaging ways to introduce outdoor learning and conservation to your students? 🍃

Join the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) for a FREE Professional Development workshop: Watchable Wildlife for Educators!

Discover exciting AGFC programs and hands-on classroom topics, including:
🐍 Snake Identification

🦜 Wings Over Arkansas

🦉 Owl Studies

📓 Nature Journaling

👟 Bonus: Stay for an optional short hike at the end of the session!

📅 When: Monday, October 12th | 9:00 AM

📍 Where: Ponca, AR (Main Building - 4642 AR Highway 43)

💰 Cost: FREE

Spots are limited—reserve your seat today! 👇
https://ar-events.s3licensing.com/eventprofile/1462

10/08/2026

We will be closing at 4pm today. We will be back at our regular hours tomorrow, Friday, October 9.

Send a message to learn more