Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report

Forestry consistently ranks in the top three most valuable agricultural commodities in Mississippi, supporting more than 68,000 jobs through landowner assistance, educational programs, and wildfire protection. MFC plays a vital role in strengthening this industry while preserving the health and sustainability of our forests. We remain committed to the stewardship of Mississippi’s forests and to serving the people of our state with excellence.

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Message from the State Forester

For more than 99 years, MFC has proudly served as the state’s leading agency for forest protection, management, and public service. Our mission is rooted in sustaining Mississippi’s forests while safeguarding lives, property, and natural resources. We are committed to being the primary emergency response agency for wildfires and a trusted partner in forest health and management.

This year brought meaningful progress. We strengthened our wildfire response capabilities by upgrading our radio system to improve communication and efficiency. We also launched an online burn permit system, providing landowners with a faster, easier way to obtain permits while giving emergency managers real-time visibility into prescribed burns. Together, these improvements enhance both safety and service.

The Commission also advanced its conservation mission through the Forest Legacy Program. Mississippi State University led the most recent effort in partnership with several organizations, including MFC. With funding from the U.S. Forest Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, MFC secured more than $14 million to help manage the 14,071-acre property. MSU acquired over 5,500 acres in Harrison and Hancock counties for a new coastal education and research center. This collaboration ensures that ecologically important forestland will be protected and strategically managed for generations to come.

MFC also secured a $7.25 million grant through the BP Oil Spill settlement to improve forest resources on our coastal waterways. The program provides resources for forest landowners in six coastal counties with over 10 acres who need management, such as prescribed burning, invasive species forest management, and reforestation activities, just to name a few. These efforts will reduce erosion, filter runoff, and bolster the natural infrastructure that protects Mississippi’s coastal and inland communities.

We continue to face some challenges as well, including the lingering effects of the FY 23–24 drought season. Our Forest Health team has been on the ground across the state, monitoring tree conditions, anticipating emerging threats, and providing outreach to landowners and communities. While resources for homeowners remain limited, the FDRP program delivers assistance to qualifying landowners to help mitigate drought-related impacts.

Forestry consistently ranks in the top three most valuable agricultural commodities in Mississippi, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Through landowner assistance, educational programs, and wildfire protection, the Commission plays a vital role in strengthening this industry while preserving the health and sustainability of our forests. I am grateful to our Board of Commissioners, agency leaders, and partners for their steadfast support. Their leadership and collaboration enable us to deliver the programs and services that make a lasting difference. Together, we remain committed to the stewardship of Mississippi’s forests and to serving the people of our state with excellence.

Management

Forest Management

FY Forest Management Accomplishments

Private Land Activities
Landowners Assisted – 6,884

*Total Forest Management Plans – 1,011
Acres under Management Plans – 81,608
Prescribed Burning (Acres) – 8,874

Public Land Activities
Timber Sale Receipts – $9,985,259
Number of Sales – 91
Acres Regenerated – 19,859
Boundary Line Maintenance (Miles) – 512
Fire Maintenance (Miles) – 439
Prescribed Burning (Acres) – 4,945

Prescribed Burning
Private & Public Land Total (Acres) – 13,819

Forest Resource Development Program
Impacted Acres – 73,939
Funds Distributed – $2.55 million

Quick Facts

Protection

Forest Protection

MFC responded to and suppressed 1,702 wildfires that burned 43,637 acres in FY25. MFC Wildland Fire Fighters saved 2,194 homes and commercial buildings, along with 548 outbuildings. The average wildfire size was 25.6 acres.

The MFC dispatches wildland fire fighting personnel and equipment to the location of reported wildfire activity 24/7. To report a wildfire, call 1-833-MFC-FIRE or dial 911.

Quick Facts

Information

Forest Information

During FY25, the Public Outreach Division of the Forest Information Department continued to provide public information, outreach programs and area communication support for the MFC with 345 Programs that reached 145,307 participants.

The MFC maintains an active Public Outreach Program designed to heighten the public’s awareness of wildfire prevention, the MFC’s mission, services, and the importance of forest resources. Local outreach activities include civic club presentations, sporting events, information booths at community events, forestry field days and visits to school groups, which are carried out across the state to reach individuals at the community level. Two topic-specific outreach programs are also included as Public Outreach efforts in FY25, the Firewise Program and the Underserved Landowner Outreach Program.

Public Outreach Officers provide customized presentations and displays for schools, community organizations, and events based on the following topics:

• Wildfire Prevention
• Smokey Bear Appearances
• Firewise
• Forest Health
• Forest Stewardship
• General MFC Information
• Best Management Practices
• Underserved Landowner Outreach Program
• Urban and Community Forestry

Quick Facts

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