Ross Foundation

THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS CONSERVATION FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN 2021 THROUGH NATURAL STAND MANAGEMENT, PLANTATION STAND MANAGEMENT, HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND UNIQUE PLANT AND HABITAT AREA MANAGEMENT. THESE CONSERVATION FORESTRY OBJECTIVES RESULT IN DIVERSE STANDS EXHIBITING BOTH PLANT AND HABITAT DIVERSITY THROUGHOUT ALL LANDS OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE FOUNDATION AS CHARITABLE ASSETS. THE FOUNDATION EMPLOYS A FULL-TIME STAFF OF PROFESSIONAL FORESTERS, BIOLOGISTS, AND TECHNICIANS TO DESIGN, IMPLEMENT, AND MONITOR A COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.IN 2021, THE FOUNDATION INCURRED $457,529 IN SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CONTINUATION OF ITS CONSERVATION FORESTRY PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, EXPENSES TOTALING $292,018 WERE INCURRED FOR CONTRACTOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO ACCOMPLISH PRESCRIBED MANAGEMENT TREATMENTS FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT, STAND REFORESTATION AND MANAGEMENT.

THE ROSS FOUNDATION'S LAND IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. DURING 2021, RECREATIONAL USERS ENJOYED VARIOUS PURSUITS INCLUDING HUNTING, FISHING, DAY HIKING, CAMPING, PICNICKING, MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING, SWIMMING, BACKPACKING, BIRD WATCHING, NATURE STUDY, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WALKING FOR AEROBIC ACTIVITY. DURING 2021, THE ROSS FOUNDATION SPENT $3,000 ON MATERIALS AND $45,399 IN SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR ALLOCATED STAFF TIME RELATED TO PUBLIC RECREATION ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ON THE ROSS FOUNDATION'S PROPERTY.

THE FOUNDATION'S LANDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. IN 2021, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED SECOND YEAR MONITORING SITES FOR RESEARCH BY OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TO INVESTIGATE HABITAT SELECTION BY BREEDING BIRDS IN RELATION TO HABITAT COMPLEXITY. THIS PROJECT PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR BIRD CONSERVATION, WHILE PROVIDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO ASSISTED RESEARCHERS WITH UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO SCHOOL OF FORESTRY IN MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF THE EMERALD ASH BORER (AN INVASIVE BEETLE THAT KILLS ASH TREES) ON TREE SPECIES SUCCESSION IN BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD STANDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED IN MULTI-YEAR PROJECT, EVALUATING THE PROGRESS OF AN OPERATIONAL OAK REGENERATION STUDY. THIS IS A COOPERATIVE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE. THE FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTED $12,177 IN STAFF TIME COORDINATING AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THESE ACTIVITIES.

IN 2021, THE ROSS FOUNDATION DONATED ONE LOAD OF PINE LOGS TO BE AUCTIONED AT THE ANNUAL SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS LOG A LOAD FOR KIDS EVENT, WHICH IS HELD AS A FUNDRAISING EFFORT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE LOAD OF LOGS WAS $1,182.