Heather Pitman was born and raised in Yellville. Spending most of her time outdoors, she grew up on the Buffalo River learning the rich history of the region. Heather and family spent time outdoors in the mountains learning about the wildlife, the natural resources and the culture of the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek. Pitman’s interest in conservation education started early.Her uncles were hunters, and she began to identify the importance of wildlife management and ethical hunting was important for the region.In Pitman’s youth ages, she and her family would spend hours canoeing and fishing and saw first-hand hand the ecologi-calwealth of the area. As a result of these experiences, she developed a deep appreciation, and understanding of the need for responsible conservation and management.When the Fred Berry Education Center opened in 2005, Heather was eager to apply for the manager’s position.She was very interested in working there and wanted to be a part of Fred Berry’s vision to create a place where the public could learn about wildlife management, as well as education outreach for local schools, hands-on field trips and teacher training. At the time, she chose to focus on raising my young children,teach-ing in the public school systemand writing cur-riculum as an education consultant for the AGFC as well as the CA Vines Arkansas 4-h center. When the opportunity to pursue the position again presented itself, the time was right, and she decided to end my teaching career to become the facility manager at the Fred Berry Conservation Education Center on Crooked Creek.“As Facility Manager of the Fred Berry Conser-vation Education Center, I share an enthusiasm for the center, a high level of energy, determination, and a commitment to utilizing all resources available to grow support and connection to wildlife management, hunting and fishing.
