Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report
Download the PDF
Charlie MorganState Forester
Message from the State Forester
The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has been a leader in the protection, management, and sustainability of our state’s forests for over 85 years. The MFC provides 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 resources. Committed to delivering quality services and assistance to both rural and urban landowners, the Mississippi Forestry Commission looks forward to the continued privilege of caring for Mississippi’s trees, forests, and natural resources.
In addition, we are proud to have achieved American Tree Farm certification on Mississippi’s School Trust Lands (Sixteenth Section Lands) that provide over $20 million annually to support public education.
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 that the citizens of Mississippi receive the best assistance and service possible.
I would also like to thank our state leaders, commissioners, staff, partners, and citizens for their continued support and assistance in making 2015 a successful year.
Please feel free to contact our office anytime, 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.
FY15 Statewide Accomplishments
| Private Land Activities | |
|---|---|
| Landowners Assisted | 7,480 |
| Total Forest Management Plans | 1,369 |
| Acres under Management Plans | 130,111 |
| Prescribed Burning (Acres) | 16,582 |
| Public Land Activities | |
|---|---|
| Timber Sale Receipts | $20,571,912 |
| Number of Sales | 215 |
| Acres Regenerated | 7,661 |
| Boundary Line Maintenance (Miles) | 602 |
| Firebreak Maintenance (Miles) | 684 |
| Prescribed Burning (Acres) | 4,498 |
| Prescribed Burning – Private & Public Land | |
|---|---|
| Total (Acres) | 19,735 |
| Forest Resource Development Program | |
|---|---|
| Acres Regenerated or Improved | 23,077 |
| Funds Distributed | $2,267,434 |
| Invasive Plant Control Program for Cogongrass Suppression | |
|---|---|
| Cogongrass Applications from Landowners | 300 |
| Landowners Inspected | 300 |
| Total Infested Spots Treated | 2,795 |
| Total Infested Acres Treated | 575.3 |
Quick Facts
- The forestry and forest product industry has a $12.3 billion dollar economic impact on the state of Mississippi and represents almost 70,000 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 share funding for tree planting and forest improvements.
- In FY15, the revenue from timber sales on non-federal public lands, including Mississippi School Trust Lands, totaled $20.57 million.
Forest Protection
The MFC suppresses, monitors, and detects wildfire activity occurring day and night on approximately 19.8 million forested acres statewide.
FY15 Wildfires by Cause
| Cause | # Wildfires | # Acres Burned |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 8 | 50 |
| Campfire | 4 | 80 |
| Smoking | 6 | 18 |
| Debris Burning | 780 | 8,276 |
| Incendiary | 740 | 10,923 |
| Equipment Use | 40 | 544 |
| Railroad | 4 | 13 |
| Children | 10 | 66 |
| Miscellaneous | 119 | 2,704 |
| Re-ignition | 45 | 712 |
| Total | 1,756 | 23,396 |
Quick Facts
- MFC suppressed 1,756 wildfires, which burned 23,396 acres.
- MFC awarded 52 grants totaling $165,000 to volunteer fire departments.
- 27 homes were destroyed, 12 homes were damaged, and 2,049 homes were threatened by wildfire activity.
- The average wildfire size was 13.3 acres.
- MFC Investigators handled six felony wood arson cases and handled eight misdemeanor cases.
Forest Information
The Forest Information Department provided support to all MFC program areas in FY15 through the development of displays, exhibits, brochures, and other informational material.
This Department was responsible for overseeing media relations, internal and external information distribution, agency publications, and continued management of the MFC’s online presence.
The Forest Information Department also utilized mass media outlets (radio, television, and print) and social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) to release forestry and agency information to the public.
Multiple delivery methods were used in order to reach the public in the most effective manner possible.
| MFC Outreach Program | |
|---|---|
| Adult and Youth Programs | 216 |
| Participants | 59,852* |
*Data does not include participants from the MS State Fair, MS Wildlife Extravaganza, or the MS Garden and Patio Show.
Quick Facts
- In FY15, the MFC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program provided 8 financial assistance grants totaling $112,700 to state and local governments, non profit groups, and educational institutions.
- Mississippi had three college campuses recognized as Tree Campus USA Schools: Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
- 26 Mississippi cities and towns certified as Tree City USA Communities.
