Fall/Winter 1999

President's Message

Over the years, we have seen the clash between landowners and economic developers, and wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists over various issues. In most instances there is common ground and we have transformed these ideological conflicts into a progressive effort to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant habitat and improve the overall quality of our environment. You know it as the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation or Wildlife Mississippi.

A quality environment and a strong economy go hand in hand. Note the third world and East European countries that have destroyed their environment. Failed social governments, the ultimate regulators, have decimated their economies and left no margin for conservation and environmental protection. It will take years of capitalist entrepreneurship for them to approach current western environmental standards.

Mississippi has a strong economy and a quality environment. We can afford a quality environment, but we have to stay competitive by making the proper investments, so that our farmers and businessmen can support our continued prosperity. Otherwise, our environment could be deteriorate. We shouldn't, and I'm confident we will not, lose site of this basic fact and start doing things that undermine our basic economic strength, as this will eventually turn on us and hamper our ability to afford to do a quality job of improving the environment.

Now that landowners and economic developers see that economic resources are enhanced by quality fish, wildlife and plant resources, it follows that we can have it all -- a strong economy, a good environment and a better future for everyone. But remember, the burden of proof is on us, not the environment.

Peyton Self
President