Public Lands

Through the Public Lands program, the MFC provides management assistance to boards, agencies, and other entities having jurisdiction over the public forestlands in Mississippi. The Mississippi Forestry Commission responsibilities included the management of two State Forests (Kurtz State Forest and Camden State Forest); providing technical direction on the management of school trust lands under the administration of the local school boards; and rendering assistance to the various agencies, boards, departments and other entities having jurisdiction over State and other public lands in Mississippi.

School Trust Lands a.k.a. Sixteenth Section Lands:

In accordance with Mississippi Code, Section 29-3-45, the Mississippi Forestry Commission is charged with the responsibility of assisting school boards with the management of forestlands on school trust property in Mississippi. There are 438,118 forested Public School Trust Land acres in sixty-seven counties that are under management and marketing agreement with the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

It is the aim of the Mississippi Forestry Commission to maximize timber production on a sustained yield basis on School Trust Lands classified as “Forest Land” by the local school boards. In addition to timber production, management considerations also include wildlife, soil and water quality, aesthetics and other appropriate benefits of forestlands.

State Forest Lands:

The Mississippi Forestry Commission has jurisdiction over two State Forest located in Greene and Madison Counties.

Kurtz State Forest

Since 1942, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has administered and managed 1,760 acres of land donated by the late William W. Kurtz. The land is used to display sound forestry practices, while providing suitable habitat for game animals.

Camden State Forest

This property in Madison County was obtained by the Mississippi Forestry Commission in the summer of 1991. The property was a tract of land foreclosed on by FHA. After it was not sold a public auction, it was deeded to the Mississippi Forestry Commission. This forest is approximately 150 acres of old farmland and 300 acres drained bottom. The open area was planted in the winter of 1991-1992. The Mississippi Forestry Commission manages this state forest as a demonstration forest in accordance with the provisions detailed in the transfer of the title document.

For more information on This program, contact:

Richard McInnis

District Forester, Capital

3139 Highway 468 West

Pearl, Mississippi 39208

(601) 420-6010 office

rmcinnis@mfc.state.ms.us