Wildflower movement leader says opposition not a problem

LITTLE ROCK -- Carl Hunter wishes legislators would leave the wildflowers along Arkansas's roads alone.

He isn't worried, though, that recent criticism of the highway wildflower program will lead to its demise.

Hunter, of Alexander, has been promoting wildflowers in Arkansas -- along roads, residences and in nurseries -- for 20 years.

Retired from the state Game and Fish Commission, Hunter spends his time writing books about wildflowers and other native plants and educating people about the benefits of letting nature take its course.

Thursday, he said he used to fight the state Highway and Transportation Department, but now the agency is on board, and the support of Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet has pushed the wildflower campaign along.

Recently, some legislators said their constituents have problems with the flowers along highways, arguing that they appear overgrown and can cause a safety hazard.

Rep. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, convinced a joint panel of the House and Senate transportation committees last month to study the issue and, if needed, offer recommendations to the highway department. No date has been set for the recommendations, and the Legislature cannot tell highway commissioners what to do anyway.

"Arkansas has been quite a bit behind other states until recently," Hunter said. "Most of the important people now realize this is something we really ought to do. We're on the right track, and we don't need any legislative committee to throw a monkey wrench in this."

He said gardening clubs across the state, as well as the Parks and Tourism Department and other groups, are voicing support for letting wildflowers grow along roads.