Wildlife Mississippi has been a leader in establishing lands available to the public.

We recently worked with Senator Thad Cochran and Congressman Bennie Thompson, who authored the legislation, to establish the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge, the Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge and a $6 million visitor's center.

The center should be located on or in very close proximity to the grounds of the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge in Sharkey County, which is the area most central to the historic location of the famous bear hunt. Being located 20 miles from I-20 and the Vicksburg Military Park, this location will produce the greatest economic benefits to our state.

Linking tourists with the many public, outdoor, recreational lands will yield a great many economic benefits with the increased purchases of ammunition, food, gasoline, lodging and other indirect expenditures, all in Mississippi.

The primary purpose of the center is to serve as the one place for a tourist to find information pertaining to all facets of his or her visit to the public and private recreational lands and waters of Mississippi. It should be modeled after the Yellowstone Visitor Center. Additional purposes of the center are to provide interpretative and educational programs to the public and business development assistance for natural resource-based tourism activities.

The center should have a primary exhibit highlighting the life of Holt Collier and the conservation efforts of President Theodore Roosevelt. The center should house the "World's Largest Collection of Teddy Bears." The center should include an exhibit on Mississippi's two Secretaries of the Interior – Jacob Thompson (1857-1861) and L.Q.C. Lamar (1885-1888).The center could also highlight the life and photography of Dr. Dan Guravich, a resident of Greenville and an Agricultural Researcher with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Stoneville. Guravich is world-renowned not only for his polar bear photography, but also his efforts in the conservation of the polar bear. The center could also feature an exhibit on Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson, as well as Nash Buckingham.

A significant component of Mississippi's economic future will involve wildlife-associated recreation. These outdoor enthusiasts spent more than $110 billion pursuing their activities. Our state has existing natural, historical and cultural assets that can contribute significantly to the economic revitalization of our area. If developed properly, the center will provide an opportunity to significantly expand total tourism dollars.

I hope you are as proud of your organization and our elected officials who made this happen as I am. We are truly on the leading edge of making Mississippi a better place to live, work and visit.

William J. Van Devender
President