Spring 2003

Musgrove Proclaims "Steve Azar Day" - Governor Ronnie Musgrove has proclaimed March 13, 2003, as "Steve Azar Day" in Mississippi, honoring the Greenville native who has risen to the top of the country music scene. Azar is a charter member of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, or Wildlife Mississippi as it is commonly called. His brother, Joe, is one of the organization's Founders. According to Governor Musgrove, "Steve Azar is the newest name added to the list of Mississippians sharing their musical talent with the world," Musgrove said. "Our state is known for its rich musical heritage and I'm proud of Steve and his accomplishments." Growing up, Steve spent a lot of time around the Mississippi River enjoying its waters, wildlife, its contribution to the nation in the form of a transportation artery and giving birth to the blues and other cultural aspects of Delta life. It was this influence that caused Steve and Joe to have a deep appreciation of wildlife and the conservation of it. Steve recently said, in helping to encourage more conservation efforts, "Our children's future is the number one priority for my wife Gwen and me. And one of our dreams is to ensure that our children, and their children, enjoy the majesty of Mississippi's forests, waters and wildlife. Wildlife Mississippi is helping to make that dream come true." Azar's debut album is titled "Waitin' On Joe." Steve landed a recording deal soon after moving to Nashville but fell victim to an all too common music industry setback when his label shut down shortly after his debut single was released. Nevertheless, Steve continued touring and honing his skills, drawing from his own experiences and those of some of his close friends. Mercury Records discovered him and his music career has certainly taken off. Wildlife Mississippi is extremely pleased that Governor Musgrove has recognized Steve for his accomplishments. Azar debuted with the Grand Ole Opry on March 15, 2002. His #1 hit, "Waitin' on Joe," places #14 on Country Music Television's (CMT) Top 20 of 2002, and has been nominated for Breakthrough Video of the Year and Concept Video of the Year at the 2003 CMT Flameworthy Awards.

Wildlife Mississippi Announces Electronic Cookbook - The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, or Wildlife Mississippi as it is commonly called, is pleased to announce its new electronic cookbook titled "A Book of Favorite Recipes, Compiled By The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a low-overhead, no frills organization which seeks to protect, restore and enhance our fish, wildlife and plant resources for the enjoyment and enrichment of all residents of Mississippi, their progeny and visitors to the state. We are strong advocates of hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation. We also believe in proper utilization of the harvest. Every concerned Mississippian knows what it's like to watch a beautiful sunset at the end of a long day afield or on the water. Those outings don't have to end at sunset. After the rods and guns have been put away, grilling a venison steak or frying up a batch of crappie is the perfect way to relive those wonderful days afield. Preparing the bounty of our harvest should be a family affair. Sharing in the preparation and enjoyment of nature is an important part of the outdoor experience. We encourage everyone to take at least one night per month to experiment with a new recipe. Open your favorite bottle of wine, try one of these recipes and develop a further appreciation of Mississippi's wonderful outdoors with family and friends. It's a great way to spend an evening. A great many people too many to mention them all by name contributed in one way or another to the writing of this cookbook. A special thanks to our many members and friends across Mississippi who searched for recipes for us, many favorite family recipes, and provided their all important encouragement and support for this publication. They started gathering recipes shortly after Wildlife Mississippi was founded. Special thanks goes to Michelle Owens of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation staff who compiled the recipes, put them into words and helped pull the whole cookbook project together. This cookbook is dedicated to the thousands of anglers and hunters throughout Mississippi who understand that bagging a deer or catching a limit of crappie doesn't end at the end of the outing. It's only the beginning. This cookbook is written for those wildlife enthusiasts who have discovered that transforming a bag of frozen venison into a gourmet meal can be every bit as challenging and rewarding as bagging a trophy buck.

Cochran Adds Important Conservation Provisions To Omnibus - Wildlife Mississippi voices support for the efforts of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran which has resulted in substantial funding for conservation throughout Mississippi. Cochran was able to secure funding for the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Forests of Mississippi. It included funding for the Wildlife Enhancement and Economic Development Program at Mississippi State University. Cochran was able to add language to the bill that establishes the National Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative. Bobwhite populations will greatly benefit from this program. This initiative provides technical assistance and cost share to provide nesting and brood rearing habitats on private lands. This national initiative will be administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Wildlife Habitat Management Institute (WHMI), which is based in Madison, Mississippi. Cochran's efforts to fund the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) specifically drew praise from Wildlife Mississippi. WRP is a voluntary program that offers financial incentives to landowners to restore bottomland hardwoods and wetlands. Mississippi ranks second in the nation in WRP enrollment, with over 115,000 acres entered since 1990. The WHIP, which was authorized in the 1996 Farm Bill at the request of Senator Cochran, is funded at over $30 million. This level of commitment proves that the program is successful and will continue to provide landowners an incentive to enhance wildlife habitats. WHIP will continue to cost-share with landowners to provide cover for wildlife as well as nesting and brood habitat for species like turkey and quail. Nationally, it has already improved over 750,000 acres of habitat. Senator Cochran's efforts to improve conservation programs in the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations committees are known throughout the nation. Because of his efforts, he has earned the respect of the national conservation and environmental community. He is regularly referred to as the "voice of reason" on conservation in the Senate and we are very blessed to have him in Washington to make sure we have sound conservation programs.

Wildlife Mississippi/Wild Exposures Offers Free Screensavers - The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, or Wildlife Mississippi as it is commonly called, is pleased to announce a partnership with renowned wildlife photographer, Michael A. Kelly of Wild Exposures to offer free screensavers or screen images. Wildlife Mississippi is more than just another environmental organization. It is a no frills, cost conscious, low overhead organization that works to balance Mississippi's conservation with its economic growth. Plus, we're down to earth and spend all of our funds on conservation projects right here in Mississippi. The Foundation's mission is to protect, restore and enhance Mississippi's natural resources. Anyone can take a moment to view the organization's site at www.wildlifemiss.org. Michael A. Kelly, a lifetime resident of Mississippi, is a self taught, semiprofessional photographer who found an interest in wildlife and nature photography while duck hunting some twenty years ago. Inspired by his love of Mississippi's woods, wetlands, and wildlife, Kelly has freelanced since 1981. His work has appeared in over 700 publications nationwide. A partial listing of magazine credits includes: National Wildlife Federation, Sports Afield, North American Whitetail, Ducks Unlimited, Mississippi Outdoors, Southern Living, Wildlife Mississippi and Game and Fish publications throughout the continental United States. He has also exhibited at numerous outdoor expositions. His newest limited edition prints entitled "Ole Boss" and "Trespassing" are available for purchase, along with his best seller, "Bogged Down In Bucks" as well as a constantly expanding collection of breathtaking natural images. Although Kelly travels the Southeast, Mississippi's native animal and plant life are consistently his favorite subjects, whether the zebra swallowtail butterfly or the whitetail deer. Capturing the majesty and beauty of nature, and sharing it with others continues to gratify him deeply. An assortment of custom work and prints are available for you or for corporate clients by contacting Michael at Wild Exposures at www.wildexposures.net. To obtain a free screensaver or screen image, go to www.wildlifemiss.org and then go to "Screen Images" on the left side of the screen. Next, select from a kingfisher, black bear, Tupelo gum swamp, whitetail deer, the state capital, bobwhite quail, cypress swamp, scenic river, waterfowl and/or wild turkey. There are directions at the bottom of the screen to describe how to download the free images. Use as many images as you desire and change them as often as you like.

Future Fisherman Foundation Meets In Biloxi - Recognizing that the Future Fisherman Foundation is at a crossroads, Executive Director Anne Glick, recently expanded its new Board of Directors and invested in strategic planning expertise to help chart a new course for the angler recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association. A generous contribution from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation made it possible for this committed group to come together in this past in Biloxi, Mississippi. This unprecedented exercise in introspection and outlook, including a variety of new insights and expertise, resulted in a clear identity for the Future Fisherman Foundation and primary strategies to achieve its goals. This positions the Future Fisherman Foundation to take a lead role in advancing the most professional aquatic education programs, and help coordinate a national network of aquatic educators in bringing the fishing experience to more than a million new anglers every year. "Like any organization, the Future Fisherman Foundation has gone through many evolutions over its lifetime, depending on our resources or the needs of our partners along the way," explained Glick. "More recently we've had some extraordinary changes that really called on us to take a good look in the mirror and make sure we're focused and clear on what we deliver. "I'm just glad we have such outstanding support from our state partners and a wonderful Board of Directors to rely on during this transition," she added. "That's really going to help the Future Fisherman Foundation and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation as we strive to get better all the time at luring new anglers to the sport."

$10 Million Conservation Center to Benefit Landowners, Environment - The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) and Environmental Defense recently announced the creation of the Center for Conservation Incentives, a comprehensive program to promote more efficient and effective approaches to conservation of habitat on the nation's private lands. DDCF awarded a $5 million grant over five years to Environmental Defense to establish and manage the Center. Thanks to a challenge grant to Environmental Defense from Robert W. Wilson, an Environmental Defense Board member and private investor, the Center is guaranteed an additional $5 million. "We believe there is a pressing need to develop effective incentives for landowners to protect the nation's natural heritage," said DDCF president Joan E. Spero. "We are pleased to support Environmental Defense in this important endeavor." "Most endangered species in the United States rely on private lands for their recovery. Too often, conservation laws have encountered resistance from landowners. This Center will take a leading role in promoting incentives as a way to benefit both landowners and biodiversity," said Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp. "We are extremely grateful to DDCF for its generosity and vote of confidence." "This grant will further demonstrate the power of incentives," said Robert W. Wilson. "My Environmental Defense challenge grants aim to promote economic growth while bettering the environment." Under Environmental Defense's direction, the Center will seek to direct public conservation funding under the Department of Agriculture's Farm Bill and programs of the Department of the Interior toward biologically significant regions, conduct research and mapping, and disseminate information about promising incentives. The Center will be guided by an advisory committee and will provide resources to other organizations to develop pilot approaches to creating incentives or improving existing ones.