Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Report
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Charlie MorganState Forester
Message from the State Forester
The Mississippi Forestry Commission has been a leader in the 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 are proud of our service to the public and our protection of the state’s valuable forest resource. Committed to delivering quality services and assistance to both rural and urban landowners, the Forestry Commission looks forward to the continued privilege of caring for Mississippi’s trees, forests and natural resources.
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 2013 a success.
Please contact our office at any time. We look forward to serving you.
Forest Management
The Forest Management Department provides private forest landowners with limited on-the-ground services, technical assistance, cost-share assistance, advice to increase timber production and provide for the sustainable management of forest resources.
FY13 Statewide Accomplishments
| Private Land Activities | |
|---|---|
| Landowners Assisted | 11,428 |
| Total Forest Management Plans | 2,913 |
| Acres under Management Plans | 194,947 |
| Prescribed Burning (Acres) | 12,883 |
| Public Land Activities | |
|---|---|
| Timber Sale Receipts | $19,112,612* |
| Number of Sales | 215 |
| Acres Regenerated | 10,844 |
| Boundary Line Maintenance (Miles) | 476 |
| Firebreak Maintenance (Miles) | 784 |
| Prescribed Burning (Acres) | 17,256 |
| Prescribed Burning – Private & Public Land | |
|---|---|
| Total (Acres) | 30,139 |
| Forest Resource Development Program | |
|---|---|
| Acres Regenerated or Improved | 31,315 |
| Invasive Plant Control Program for Cogongrass Suppression | |
|---|---|
| Cogongrass Applications from Landowners | 301 |
| Landowners Inspected | 301 |
| Total Infested Spots Treated | 3,068 |
| Total Infested Acres Treated | 575 |
*Source: MFC’s Public Lands Timber Sale report and FY13 Crew Assistance report. Receipts are from sales made on School Trust Lands and other public lands. Timber sale receipts consist of lump sum sale revenue, carry-over revenue from FY12, and actual thin sale revenue; does not include remaining pay-as-cut revenue which will be reported next year as carry over from FY12. Note: 19 public land timber sales were rejected in FY13 due to low bids or no bids, which reflects poor market conditions, especially in the sawtimber market.
Quick Facts
- The forest industry in Mississippi is a $10.38B industry and represents over 63,000 jobs.
- On average, more than $2 million is distributed each year to private forest landowners in Mississippi through the Forest Resource Development Program, which provides cost sharing for tree planting and forest improvements.
- In FY13, the revenue from timber sales on non-federal public lands, including School Trust Lands, totaled $19.1 million.
Forest Protection
The MFC suppresses, monitors, and detects wildfire activity occurring day and night on approximately 19.8 million forested acres statewide.
FY13 Wildfires by Cause
| Cause | # Wildfires | # Acres Burned |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 25 | 478 |
| Campfire | 7 | 16 |
| Smoking | 7 | 39 |
| Debris Burning | 584 | 5,678 |
| Incendiary | 680 | 9,125 |
| Equipment Use | 27 | 222 |
| Railroad | 4 | 102 |
| Children | 7 | 79 |
| Miscellaneous | 133 | 1,828 |
| Re-ignition | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1,474 | 17,567 |
Quick Facts
- IMFC suppressed 1,474 wildfires, which burned 17,567 acres.
- The average wildfire size was 11.9 acres
- 20 homes were destroyed, 4 homes were damaged and 1,384 homes were threatened by wildfire.
- Mississippi Forestry Commission awarded 57 grants totaling $201,957 to volunteer fire departments.
Forest Information
The Forest Information Department provides support to all MFC programs through the development of displays, exhibits, brochures and other informational material. The department is the point of contact for media relations and is responsible for maintaining the MFC Web site, maintaining our presence on social media, and producing the agency’s newsletter, annual report, and MFC News.
| MFC Outreach Program | |
|---|---|
| Adult and Youth Programs | 730 |
| Participants | 61,585* |
*Data does not include participants from the MS State Fair, MS Wildlife Extravaganza, or the MS Garden and Patio Show.
Quick Facts
- MFC’s Urban/Community Forestry Program provided 6 financial assistance grants totaling $95,043.00 to state and local governments, non profit groups and educational institutions.
- There are currently 41 Mississippi cities and towns certified as Tree City USA.
