By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Kyle Cunningham, a longtime extension forestry specialist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been appointed state forester for Arkansas.
FORESTER — Kyle Cunningham has been named state forester.
Division of Agriculture photo
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders appointed Cunningham to lead the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, according to a June 19 news release from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Cunningham replaces Joe Fox who will retire at the end of June.
“Kyle’s decades of experience in the forestry industry make him the ideal steward of our state’s forest health and conservation,” Sanders said in the news release. “I know he’s the right candidate to take over this position and shepherd the Forestry Division’s important role in Arkansas’ economy and natural heritage.”
Cunningham’s last day with the Division’s Cooperative Extension Service will be July 5, and he starts the job with the Department of Agriculture on July 6.
In his new role, Cunningham will continue working to ensure the health and conservation of Arkansas’ forests, which provide a diversity of services and benefits including timber production, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, watershed protection and aesthetic values.
“Over half of Arkansas is covered in diverse forests,” Cunningham said. “Much of our forestland is privately owned by family forest landowners and industry. I have spent many years working to assist these groups. Now, I have the opportunity to continue this work in a new capacity.
“Ensuring these resources and the people who enjoy them are protected will be a primary objective,” he said. “There will be challenges leading such a diverse entity as the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division, but I am excited to tackle these challenges working with our Forestry Division professionals to fulfill the Division's mission."
Cunningham joined the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in 2004 as an extension instructor and became an assistant professor of forestry in 2014. He was promoted to his current role as associate professor of forestry in 2020. His work has consisted of conducting research on all facets of the forestry industry.
Most recently, Cunningham helped research and establish a hardwood management plan to regenerate a declining ecosystem in Arkansas — bottomland oak forests — to help restore healthy and productive red and white oak ecosystems to provide timber and improved habitat for deer, quail, ducks, turkeys and other species. The plan covers forestland that the Division of Agriculture manages on its research stations.
“We will greatly miss Kyle’s 19 years of Extension experience and his in-depth knowledge about forestry and the forestry industry,” said Bob Scott, senior associate vice president for agriculture with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “He will be difficult to replace, and we wish him the best of luck in his new position. As much as I hate to see him leave us, I know that he is an excellent choice for state forester and will do a great job.”
Cunningham also organized and will lead sessions at a forestry management workshop on June 27 at DeGray to provide the state’s forest landowners, forestry professionals and watershed resource managers with updated research on forestry management.
Cunningham has a bachelor’s degree in forestry and a master’s degree in forest management, both from Mississippi State University, and a doctorate in applied science from UA Little Rock.