Chris Colclasure is the Director of the Natural Resources Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. A position he has held since September 2021. In his current role, he guides the agency as they conserve and manage the state's land and water resources. Prior to his current role, he served as a Deputy Director at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for five years and supervised and lead most of the major agency divisions during his tenure. He also worked 14 years for the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, serving three years as the agency director, and two years at the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Over his 23 years with the state of Arkansas, he has worked to conserve natural resources and improve fish and wildlife populations through collaboration and partnerships. He currently serves as a commissioner on the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission, and the multi-state Arkansas River Compact Commission.
He received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Certified Public Manager Certification from the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium. He spends his free time with family and friends enjoying the excellent hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities available in The Natural State.