CONSERVATION CORNER
October 23, 2006
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 Wildlife Mississippi and it efforts in fish and wildlife conservation in Mississippi.

In December of 1997, Wildlife Mississippi was founded. Wildlife Mississippi it is a private, non-profit charitable conservation organization.

Our mission is to conserve Mississippi's natural heritage for the enjoyment by all of Mississippi's residents and visitors. This will secure Mississippi's quality of life by making it a better place to live and work.

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 Wildlife Mississippi will succeed. Furthermore, all funds raised by Wildlife Mississippi will stay at home, in Mississippi.

What are the goals of the Wildlife Mississippi, 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 date, we have protected 51,464 acres, restored 35,623 acres and enhanced 114,080 acres for a total of 201,167 acres. That is impressive by any standard.

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 Wildlife Mississippi can be obtained by writing Wildlife Mississippi at P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776 or calling (662) 686-3375 or going to www.wildlifemiss.org.