Robert R. 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 enhance and restore wildlife and fisheries habitat, particularly waterfowl habitat.

* Personal interests include spending time with family, wife Sherry and his daughters who are Shelby (16 years old) and Sarah (14 years old), hunting and fishing. He also enjoys playing golf, coaching High School Fastpitch Softball and watching his daughters compete in a variety of High School athletics.

* Recognized Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society.

* Certified Technical Service Provider in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Up Close:

“Working through Wildlife Mississippi with private landowners is very satisfying,” says the field biologist, Robert R. Ballinger, who goes by Rob, for short. Rob is over the Western Region of Mississippi for Wildlife Mississippi.

“I enjoy working with people who have a genuine interest in the fish and wildlife resources of Mississippi. It is a lot of fun being able to see the diverse habitat types of the State and work with landowners to improve the habitat.”

“It is great to be able to work at a conservation organization where my goal is to protect, restore and enhance as much habitat as possible – not have to meet a fundraising goal.”

Although Rob has the opportunity to work in all habitat types, he particularly enjoys working to restore and enhance wetland and waterfowl habitat. According to Wildlife Mississippi’s Executive Director James L. Cummins, “Rob has probably restored more waterfowl habitat than any one person in Mississippi. Last year alone, he restored over 4,000 acres through the Wildlife Mississippi. That’s significant in anyone’s book.”

As a field biologist of Wildlife Mississippi, duties include: assisting in developing goals and objectives of Wildlife Mississippi’s field operations; assisting in soliciting field project grants; coordinating all field operations; assisting in preparing an annual report; encouraging members to participate in field programs; maximizing efficiency of field programs; working with the media to publicize projects; providing technical assistance to landowners; encouraging members to participate in field programs; implementing special projects; conducting workshops and seminars; making presentations to children’s groups, civic clubs and/or hunting/fishing clubs; representing Wildlife Mississippi at meetings; and establishing and maintaining new projects.

He is very involved in a wide array of organizations. He is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association and The Wildlife Society.

He serves as a member of the Black Bear Restoration Task Force and the Mississippi Partners for Wildlife Project.

He has written numerous articles for state and local newspapers and published over 25 articles in magazines such as Wildlife Mississippi, Delta Wildlife, Mid-South Farmer, Wildlife Trends and Waterfowl 2000.

He has given numerous presentations to garden clubs, civic, school, conservation and community groups as well as hunting and fishing clubs.

These accomplishments reflect Rob’s devotion to building a results-oriented organization whose single goal is to “improve the quality of life in Mississippi.” It is a simple goal but one that takes leadership and involvement in all stages of the organization.

“It all boils down to improving the quality of life in a place my family calls home.”


E-mail: rballinger@wildlifemiss.org

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