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HomeNews & Events $7.25 Million USDA Grant Awarded to MFC for Forest Restoration Project 

$7.25 Million USDA Grant Awarded to MFC for Forest Restoration Project 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) a $7.25 million grant under the RESTORE Act (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act). This funding is aimed at enhancing forest resources critical to the health of the Gulf of Mexico and is part of the Enhancing Gulf Waters through the Forested Watershed Restoration program.

All funds will support the primary RESTORE Comprehensive Plan goal to restore water quality and quantity through activities that restore private and public forests. The MFC will provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners and communities in watersheds where forest resources are instrumental to these efforts.

The project, initiated in response to the BP Oil Spill, aligns with the primary goal of improving water quality and quantity through forest restoration. Key efforts will include conducting prescribed burns on private lands, developing management plans for landowners, certifying properties under the American Tree Farm System, and engaging in outreach activities.

“This program demonstrates our commitment to restoring forested watersheds and improving the quality of water flowing into the Gulf of Mexico,” said Russell Bozeman, MFC State Forester. “By collaborating with local landowners and communities, we aim to create a sustainable model for forest management that benefits both the environment and the economy.”

The project will focus on several objectives, including restoring private and public forests, providing technical and financial support for forest management activities, and quantifying the results of restoration efforts in collaboration with the Southern Research Station. Key partners include the Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA), Southern Research Station, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

In Mississippi, the focus areas will include Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, George, Stone, and Pearl River counties, prioritizing sub-basins like Escatawpa, Lower Pearl, and Pascagoula. The initiative will target impaired waterways identified by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, particularly in coastal urban communities. The project aims to demonstrate how effective forest management can lead to improved water quality and quantity entering the Gulf of Mexico, paving the way for a healthier ecosystem and stronger communities.

Eligible landowners, including private non-industrial and state public landowners, will benefit from 100% cost-share assistance for various forest management activities, including tree planting, prescribed burning, and invasive plant treatment. Details on landowner eligibility determination and the application process will be published here on our website soon.