Four local schools designated as AGFC Schools of Conservation Leadership

Four local school districts in North Arkansas were among 31 in the state designated as a School of Conservation Leadership for 2026-29 and were honored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) Education Division on Thursday at the AGFC’s Little Rock headquarters. Norfork, Melbourne, Izard County Consolidated and Valley Springs were those schools in north central Arkansas that were designated. Derek Ratchford, the AGFC’s Outdoor Education Initiative Manager, said, “It proves conservation education has a place no matter how old they are, no matter what types of learning environments, no matter what types of classes you offer. Every type of school – from virtual to public, private or charter – was represented. The event is open to all Arkansas schools and even homeschooled students.