A Message from the State Forester 

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The Mississippi Forestry Commission has been a leader in forest protection, management and sustainability of our state’s forests for over 85 years. Year after year we provide expertise, information and support to keep Mississippi’s 19.8 million acres of forestland healthy, productive and profitable.

We have continued to build on success for the 2011 fiscal year. One of our success stories is the certification of our 480,000 acres of forested 16th Section School Trust Lands by the American Tree Farm System. This magnitude of public lands certification is the first of its kind in the nation and is a result of our continued use of technology and sustainable management practices to better manage the forested 16th Sections.

FY2011 will also be a year remembered for extreme weather conditions. One such condition was the record setting droughts the state experienced last fall and the first part of this summer. The extreme drought in the fall of 2010 increased wildfire activity in the state to such levels that, for the first time in a decade, we requested that the governor issue a statewide burn ban. There were also statewide tornado outbreaks this spring resulting in an estimated $30 million in damages to timber. These events were then followed by record setting flooding along the Mississippi River. Through programs and other assistance, we will continue to support those affected by these natural disasters for several years to come and will help them restore their forestlands.

Some of the other success stories of FY2011 include:

• Sustained timber sale revenue of 16th section lands of $22.8 million
• Began implementation of the Forest Action Plan (previously named Mississippi Assessment of Forest Resources and Forest Resource Strategy)
• Acquired and began management of the Salmon Tract (1450ac.) deeded by U.S. Department of Energy to the State of Mississippi
• Through efforts of our new grants manager, MFC submitted and received 8 grants through the competitive grant process from the USDA Forest Service
• Combated extreme wildfire conditions during Fall 2010 drought with no serious injuries and minimal loss of structures
• Used new technology to map and calculate amount of damaged timber from the tornados that struck in the spring. This data helped secure federal support for private forestland restoration.

We appreciate our partners who provide support, collaboration and implementation of many of our programs and services. We work hard to maintain and develop our relationships with natural resource agencies, organizations and individuals. These relationships ensure the citizens of Mississippi receive the best assistance and service possible.

I would also like to thank our state leaders, commission, staff, partners and citizens for their continued support and assistance in making 2011 a success.

Please contact our office at any time. We look forward to serving you.

Charlie Morgan

State Forester