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CONSERVATION CORNER
(For the week of November 26, 2007)
Dollars Needed For Sky Lake Boardwalk
by James L. Cummins

When our ancestors first arrived in the Lower Mississippi River Valley they were awestruck by the giant cypress that had thrived here for centuries. As they cleared the fertile land, no one in the entire Valley thought to preserve a stand, or even one, of these spectacular trees. They are all gone…or so we thought! Providence and a remote swamp spared the site that contains "some of the largest and oldest baldcypress trees that remain on earth," according to Dr. David Stahle, Director of the Tree Ring Laboratory at the University of Arkansas.

Wildlife Mississippi's involvement in the preservation of Sky Lake began in 2001 when it worked with the Office of the Governor and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to acquire the property so that it would be preserved. Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is 8 miles north of Belzoni, Mississippi. The area's greatest asset is the magnificent stand of cypress trees that are scattered throughout the property. The property encompasses the largest baldcypress tree, which is the Mississippi State Champion, and the second largest baldcypress in Mississippi, as well as the #2 world record baldcypress.

The largest of the trees is 46', 9" in circumference, 15' in diameter and 70' tall. This tree is located within 300' of the second largest tree, which is the former Mississippi State Champion. The largest tree has enough volume of wood to construct 6 ordinary houses. With our encouragement, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks acquired the 773-acre site that will soon be enlarged to approximately 4,000 acres.

According to Clarke Reed, Chairman of Wildlife Mississippi, "It is imperative that we protect these trees of national and international significance, and provide access for scientists, writers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and a host of the rest of us. Consultants tell us to expect thousands of visitors annually."

Wildlife Mississippi needs to raise $150,000 of the required matching funds in order to meet the match requirement for a $521,000 grant we have recently been awarded from the Mississippi Recreational Trails Program. This grant and your funds, which will total $671,000, will enable us to construct an elevated walkway above the water to provide year-round access to the ancient cypress of Sky Lake.

"We are soliciting individuals and/or corporations to commit to this project. We want to involve those of you who have the vision and recognize the value of this project. It excites people just to learn that these magnificent trees exist. Your grandchildren and all our progeny will forever appreciate what you have done," continued Reed.

We hope you will make a tax-deductible donation in the amount of $10,000 to Wildlife Mississippi for the Sky Lake Boardwalk Project. Without your generous contribution, this boardwalk will not be possible. If you want to donate, please send your contribution to: Sky Lake Boardwalk Project, c/o Wildlife Mississippi, P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776. The relatively modest cost of the project is small considering the rewards for decades to come.