Conservation Corner: March 22, 1999

Membership Has It Privileges
by James L. Cummins

Over the past several months I have had several telephone calls that basically said, "I read your column, but you never described Wildlife Mississippi. Exactly what is it?" So, I have decided to dedicate this week's column to describing the Foundation and it efforts in fish and wildlife conservation in Mississippi.

In December of 1997, the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, or Wildlife Mississippi as it is commonly called, was founded to conserve, restore and enhance our fisheries and wildlife resources for the enjoyment of Mississippians and our visitors. Wildlife Mississippi it is a private, non-profit organization.

Because of our beliefs and principles, we are different than most conservation and environmental organizations. We have three basic principles; they are: 1) incentives conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant habitat; 2) conservation can thrive while respecting private property rights and; 3) more effective and responsive government policies will enable more on-the-ground conservation to take place.

Our success will not be measured by numbers of members, nor size of staff, nor budget, nor an impressive office building. Mississippi's wealth of leadership and overwhelming support and participation of sportsmen, industry, business, farmers, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts will ensure that the Foundation will succeed. Furthermore, all funds raised by Wildlife Mississippi will stay at home, in Mississippi.

What are the goals of the Foundation, you ask? They are: 1) To educate the public about conservation; 2) To improve fisheries habitat and water quality; 3) To improve migratory bird habitat and wetlands; 4) To improve our wildlife and plant resources; 5) To improve Mississippi's threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plants; 6) To improve and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for present and future generations and; 7) To work with the major conservation agencies that affect Mississippi to pinpoint problems and target strategies so that these agencies have effective and cost-efficient programs, such as incentive-based conservation programs, to improve Mississippi's environment.

To aid in our work, we need the support of many Mississippians. In fact, it's your opportunity to have a voice in what happens to the future of this great state. With your membership comes a subscription to Wildlife Mississippi Magazine, a membership card, decal and periodic updates on issues of interest. And depending on what level of support, there are more benefits. A packet of information about the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation can be obtained by writing the Foundation at P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776 or calling (601) 686-3375.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.