Ouachita National Forest and Its Value to “The Natural State”

The preservation and management of the Ouachita National Forest, the South’s oldest and largest national forest, has helped make it possible for Arkansas to remain “The Natural State.” Students will learn how the area developed into a national forest and the importance of retaining the habitats of the plants and animals that live there. Students will also locate the Ouachita National Forest; the Ouachita Mountains Natural Division; and the Caddo, Ouachita, Cossatot, and Little Missouri Rivers on a map of Arkansas. Students will research a plant or animal native to the Ouachita Mountains, describe its habitat, and express its value to the region. They will then design their own tourist brochures showcasing the recreational opportunities in the Ouachita National Forest. They will develop an understanding of the value of preservation and forest management, as well as learn specific information about the Ouachita Mountains Natural Division.

Lesson Plan

Courtesy of CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies

Grade Level: 5-8 Middle School

Time period: Modern Era 1968 to Present

Arkansas Academic Standards are subject to revision every six years by the Arkansas Department of Education. The frameworks used in the majority of lesson plans on the Arkansas History Hub are from the 2006 Social Studies Frameworks and the 2007 Arkansas History Amendments and School Library Media Frameworks.

E.7.6.2, E.7.7.2, E.7.8.2, G.1.6.2, G.1.AH.7-8.1, G.1.AH.7-8.2, G.1.AH.7-8.3, G.3.5.7, G.3.6.7