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About MFC

Management, Protection, Information

Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has been a leader in the protection, management, and sustainability of the state’s forests for over 95 years. The MFC provides expert management, protection, and information needed to keep Mississippi’s approximately 19.2 million acres of forestland healthy, productive, and prosperous.

Management
Tishomingo State Park forest

Management

Sustainably Managing Our Forest Resources

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) is charged with promoting sound forest management practices, which help maintain the integrity of the environment and provide for our state’s future natural resource needs.

The MFC offers a variety of forest management programs and services to assist private landowners. The MFC also provides forest management assistance on School Trust forestland in Mississippi.

The Forest Management Department provides private forestland owners with limited on-the-ground services, technical assistance, cost-share assistance, and advice to increase timber production and provide for the sustainable management of forest resources.

Protection
Forest Management Activity in FY21Amount
Private Landowners Assisted8,163 Landowners
Acres Under Management Plans123,398 Acres
Regenerated or Improved through the Forest Resource Development Program80,580 Acres
Prescribed Burning on Private and Public Land14,268 Acres

Protection

We Protect 19.2 Million Acres of Forestland Against Wildfires

MFC Wildland Firefighters work long hours in demanding and dangerous conditions to protect lives, homes, and natural resources. The MFC suppresses, monitors, and detects wildfire activity occurring day and night on approximately 19.2 million acres of forestland statewide.

The MFC responded to and suppressed 922 wildfires that burned 19,251 acres in FY21. MFC Wildland Firefighters saved 1,298 structures threatened by wildfire activity. Wildfire damaged or destroyed 28 structures. The average wildfire size was 21 acres. The MFC dispatches wildland firefighting personnel and equipment to the location of reported wildfire activity 24/7.

Information
Smokey Bear illustration
Shaun Rogers, Assistant Regional Forester

Information

Distributing Information About Our Programs

The MFC distributes relevant information to the public regarding all MFC program areas.

The Forest Information Department supports MFC program areas by providing information dissemination, educational presentations and public relations support. This Department oversees media relations, internal and external communications, agency publications, and management of the MFC’s digital presence.

The Forest Information Department utilizes traditional media (radio, television, newspaper, web, print), and social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) to reach the public.

More About Our Programs