FOREWORD
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks was created in 1932.
Since its inception, our state has seen its wild turkey and white-tailed deer populations
restored, the return of the American alligator and bald eagles, and 800,000 acres of
wildlife habitat have been conserved and protected through our 38 wildlife
management areas. Opportunities to hunt, fish, canoe, wildlife watch and camp have
expanded greatly thanks to the collective efforts of our agency staff, partners, other
agencies and organizations and our congressional, state and legislative leadership.
Funding for traditional programs is provided by hunting and fishing licenses and
through federal aid provided by the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Dingell-Johnson Act
and Wallop-Breaux Amendment.Where we have devoted our attention, resources and applied our knowledge of wildlife and fisheries
management, many game species and their habitats have thrived. Yet the vast majority of our wildlife species
have not received sufficient management attention, and many have fallen through the cracks. Today we spend
most of our budget on 14 percent of the wildlife and fisheries species in our state, while the other 86 percent
receive almost no attention until they are in danger of extinction. Like all states, we face widespread declines
and losses across all species groups and ecosystems. In the U.S. over 1,200 animals and plants have been
federally listed as threatened or endangered. Over 90 more are proposed for listing and another 250 are
candidates. In Mississippi, 86 species are listed.
To prevent more species from becoming threatened or endangered, and to keep the common species common,
we as an agency, a state and a country must broaden our attention to the great diversity of wildlife and natural
communities as a whole. It is time for MDWFP to extend its efforts to truly be an “all wildlife agency”.
The good news is that we are receiving help and encouragement. Congress recognized that despite our best
efforts, many wildlife populations continue to decline, and that a new approach is needed. I am pleased to
introduce MDWFP’s new effort to serve as steward of ALL of our state’s wildlife resources: the Mississippi
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). This CWCS has been developed in compliance with
a congressional mandate and will serve as Mississippi’s blueprint for fish and wildlife conservation statewide
for the next half century. This is not a plan for our agency, but rather a broad set of conservation strategies for
wildlife and fish species and their key habitats in greatest need of conservation. It was developed by a broad
team of wildlife and fisheries professionals in the state in partnership with conservation organizations,
agencies, individuals, academics and industries and with public input. It is a comprehensive, cost-effective,
pro-active and non-regulatory approach to conserving entire communities, and we hope that it will be widely
used by all Mississippians interested in protecting and restoring biodiversity in Mississippi. I want to thank all
those that worked over the past three years to develop this important and dynamic strategy. It is my hope that
this effort’s success will be measured by the cultivation of lasting conservation partnerships and the promise
of fish and wildlife resources for future Mississippians.
Sam Polles, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks