“I am proud to honor the Ouachita National Forest on its 100^th Anniversary as it is a national treasure enjoyed by countless Arkansans and tourists,” Ross said. “This commemorative act of Congress recognizes all of the important services and contributions that the Ouachita National Forest continues to make to our nation. It is a privilege to lead this effort to ensure that the Ouachita National Forest remains a source of pride as well as an invaluable natural resource for years to come.”

On December 18, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt created the Arkansas National Forest on reserved public lands south of the Arkansas River and in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge issued an executive order to change the name of the forest to the Ouachita National Forest after the Ouachita Mountains, which stretch from near the center of Arkansas to southeast Oklahoma.

For the past one hundred years, the vast region that makes up the Ouachita National Forest has offered spectacular recreation, scenic, and wilderness areas for visitors.  Today, the Ouachita National Forest encompasses more than 1.8 million acres and is one of the largest and oldest national forests in the southern region of the United States. The forest provides an array of activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to horseback riding trails and swimming as well as providing timber and forestry products throughout the United States.  The forest also contains five lakes, often referred to as the "Diamond Lakes," which are known for their crystal clear quality and beautiful scenery. 

For more information on the Ouachita National Forest Centennial Celebration and for a 2007 Calendar of Events, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/centennial/.

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