PROJECT FOCUS AREAS
HABITAT CONSERVATION
Longleaf pine forests cover an estimated 40,000 acres in South Mississippi, with patches ranging from 50 acres to 1,000 acres. Some of the highest quality longleaf forest habitat remains in De Soto National Forest and on a few tracts owned by private landowners.
Wet pine savannas, with longleaf pines as dominant trees, cover an estimated 80,000 acres, mainly in the three southernmost Mississippi counties. The largest patches exist within the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, with other large patches existing in the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Restoration of Longleaf Pine Forests
In response, Wildlife Mississippi has restored approximately 17,200 acres through planting and other means and enhanced another 27,697 acres, mainly through prescribed burning.
Wildlife Mississippi contributes to the conservation and expansion of longleaf pine habitats through various efforts, including
- promoting conservation easements on private lands
- prescribed burning
- control of invasive plants on public and private lands
- development of additional conservation incentives for private landowners
Benefits to Wildlife of Longleaf Pine Conservation
Longleaf pine forests support species such as the gopher tortoise, Louisiana black bear, Mississippi gopher frog, and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Wet pine savannas support Henslow’s sparrow, Le Conte’s sparrow, Mississippi sandhill crane, yellow rail, and various bat species.
Economic Benefits of Longleaf Pine Conservation
Aside from their benefits for a variety of wildlife, well-managed longleaf pine stands can yield good economic returns for private landowners. Longleaf pine stands are less risky to grow than the fast-growing, brittle loblolly pine, which does not fare well in high winds and tropical storms.
Longleaf pine stand stability was tested when Hurricane Katrina, one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history, hit the Mississippi coast and inland areas in 2005. The stands fared well compared to those dominated by other species of pines.
Project Partners
Partnering with Wildlife Mississippi on this project are private landowners; Mississippi Forestry Association; Mississippi Forestry Commission; Mississippi Land Trust; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Mississippi Power Company; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
You can make a difference by helping conserve Mississippi’s natural areas for present and future generations. Together, we can make Mississippi a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
