Brian Ballinger

At A Glance:

* Received Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Arkansas Tech University. He is a graduate of Atlantic High School (Atlantic, Iowa).

* Professional interests include working with private landowners, state and federal agencies and other private organizations to restore and enhance wildlife habitat with a particular emphasis on wetlands.

* Personal interests include spending time with friends and family, especially his son Bryce (10 years old), hunting, fishing and everything NASCAR. He also enjoys coaching Dixie Youth baseball.

* Formerly worked for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, where he was the area manager on Twin Oaks Wildlife Management Area in Sharkey County for over twelve years.

* Ballinger, with wife Sherri and son Bryce reside in Hollandale.

Up Close:

Ballinger is a Wildlife/Wetlands Biologist for Wildlife Mississippi based in the Stoneville office.

The main focus of Ballinger’s position is to deliver the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) in Mississippi. The goals of this program include the protection, restoration and enhancement of existing Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) lands. A major component of the WREP plan involves the promotion and management of moist-soil plants and hydrology. Additional tools used in meeting the program goals include the protection of wetlands through perpetual conservation easements, management of early successional wildlife openings, and conducting outreach by providing WRP landowners with a quarterly electronic newsletter. Ballinger coordinates many of his activities with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and works closely with a counterpart who has the same responsibilities for WRP lands in Louisiana.

According to Ballinger, “My Dad introduced my two brothers and me to the outdoors over thirty years ago, and kindled a fire in the three of us that has never gone out. While those early hunting and fishing experiences provided some of my fondest memories, they were also occurring at a time when there were fewer and fewer places to make such memories with each passing season. I remember Dad’s disappointment each time we’d discover that a favorite Bois D’ Arc hedgerow had been bulldozed and burned; or a cattail slough drained and tilled, the quail and pheasants gone along with them. Dad’s early lessons to us in the importance and appreciation of wildlife habitat were easy to learn because of the classroom in which he was teaching.”

“I remember him often wondering aloud what things would be like for us boys when we were grown, and how it would be for our children if things continued as they were going. One of his favorite sayings over the years was one that we’ve all heard – we don’t inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.”

“Well, over those same years, Dad got to see a corner of sorts turned in the way society valued wildlife and wildlife habitat. He was increasingly able to pursue his beloved bobwhites and ringnecks through some fine Iowa coverts made possible by programs such as CRP and WRP, and by private conservation organizations and conservation-minded individuals. While he was pleased with these changes, he always maintained that there was room for improvement in the stewardship of our wildlife resources.”

“We lost Dad in September of 2002, but I’ll never lose the memories I have or the lessons he taught. Chief among these being that hey, it’s not about us; it’s about our children and our children’s children. Now that I’m a father and uncle myself, with the privilege and responsibility of providing for and educating a new generation of sportsmen, that one lesson is especially close to my heart.

“That’s why I’m so excited about being part of such a great organization. My position with Wildlife Mississippi will allow me to assist in some direct and positive impacts on the fish and wildlife resources of this state. I really look forward to working with landowners to help them in achieving the goals they have set for the restoration, enhancement and protection of wildlife habitat on their properties.”

As a field biologist of Wildlife Mississippi, duties include: Assists in developing goals and objectives of Wildlife Mississippi's field operations; Assists in soliciting field project grants; Coordinates field operations; Assists in preparing an annual report; Encourages members to participate in field programs; Maximizes efficiency of field programs; Works with the media to publicize projects; Provides technical assistance to landowners; Implements special projects; Conducts workshops and seminars; Makes presentations to children’s groups , civic clubs and/or hunting/fishing clubs; Represents Wildlife Mississippi at meetings; Establishes and maintains new projects.

Ballinger is involved in a variety of organizations. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and has served in various officer positions in a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He is certified as a Magnolia Records Scorer and is a Mississippi Hunter Education Instructor.

“It’s awesome to think that a child born today might have the opportunity to hunt and fish on a beautifully restored area that exists only as a pending project on a desk in this office right now. To look back in 20 or 30 years and be able to say that I played a part in that – Man, what more could I ask for?”

E-mail: bballinger@wildlifemiss.org

J. Cummins>> R. Ballinger >> A. Boyles >> R. Browning>>D.Coggin