Winter/Spring 2000

Current Research: Military Lands Research
The balancing act of training national defense while protecting wildlife at military bases has been a concern of the Department of Defense (DoD) for more than 12 years.

Federal acts, such as the Endangered Species and Clean Water acts, and DoD policy call for the integration of the military training with natural resource conservation.

Dr. Jeanne Jones, assistant professor in Mississippi State University's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, has been assisting the DoD in preparing long-range management plans to address conservation on military lands. The challenge has been to effectively train for national defense while managing forest resources, conserving fish, wildlife, soil and water resources and protecting threatened and endangered species. Study areas and findings follow.

Camp Shelby (Hattiesburg)
With 136,000 acres for Mississippi Army National Guard training in artillery and weapons fire, tank maneuvers and platoon training, Camp Shelby was one of the first military bases in Mississippi to address conservation. A primary concern for Camp Shelby was erosion control and improved wildlife habitat on tank maneuver and artillery shelling sites. Scientists found that seed mixtures of white and crimson clover, hairy vetch and ryegrass exhibited greater than 80 percent plant cover and provided habitat for rabbits, white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

A management plan is being developed to meet the goals of native conservation for neotropical migratory birds and other wildlife. The integration of conservation by Camp Shelby has added to the natural beauty of this military training ground. There are 77 state or federally protected plants and animals that call Camp Shelby "home."

Camp McCain (Elliot)
This training site for the Mississippi Army National Guard covers 13,000 acres. Training at the facility includes tank maneuvers, artillery training and general training for National Guard troops. Camp McCain has worked for 10 years on natural resource management. One of the main concerns at the military base was erosion control on tank and artillery training sites and roadside erosion. Scientists recommended and implemented erosion control practices, such as seeding and fertilization, on roadsides and training sites. Both techniques worked to increase plant cover, enhance wildlife foods and provide wildlife habitat. Through the diligent work of scientists and military personnel, 26 protected state and federally listed plants and animals, game species and more than 100 species of nongame birds now have more suitable habitat.

Naval Air Station (Meridian)
A training site for Navy candidate jet aviators, the Naval Air Station (NAS) encompasses 9,970 acres. NAS began conservation efforts in 1997 to address concerns such as wildlife air strike hazards on runways, restoration of longleaf pine forests and wetland protection for the diverse amphibian, reptile and bird inhabitants. An integrated natural resource management plan was created and a geographic information system database for use in natural resource management is under development by researchers. The Navy's goals of conservation of biological diversity, management of fish and wildlife and associated recreation, and forest management are part of the management plan.

The Future
Future endeavors with military bases will continue as scientists seek a balance between conservation and training operations. Management will promote wildlife, good conservation and demonstrate effective use of natural resources by the DOD.