Mississippi’s Fire on the Forty Initiative

JACKSON, MS – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is proud to announce Mississippi’s Fire on the Forty Initiative (FOF) has been recognized with the Land Stewardship Award by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). The award honors outstanding efforts to promote wildlife habitat management and was presented during the NWTF’s 50th annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee.

Designed to expand the use of prescribed fire on privately owned fields and upland forests, the Fire on the Forty initiative educates landowners about the proper application of prescribed fire through hands-on workshops and by cost-sharing with private landowners to apply prescribed fire.

“We are honored to see Fire on the Forty recognized for its impact on wildlife habitat across Mississippi.  We look forward to seeing the continued impact prescribed burning has on Mississippi,” said MDWFP Executive Director, Lynn Posey.

The “Fire on the Forty” initiative is made possible through funding from multiple sources including the US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission. The program is administered by a committee of resource professionals from the MDWFP, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi State University, Wildlife Mississippi, Mississippi Forestry Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks Marine Foundation.

“This award reflects the strong partnerships and dedicated landowners who make Fire on the Forty possible, and the lasting benefits prescribed fire provides for wildlife habitat and forest health across Mississippi,” said John Gruchy, MDWFP Private Lands Program Coordinator.