Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

Message from the State Forester

Forests make significant, positive contributions to the quality of life for Mississippians. By providing almost 70,000 jobs, a wealth of forest products, improved water quality, green spaces, wildlife habitat, recreational experiences, and economic benefits, forests are vital to the health of our state. The forestry and forest products industry has a $12.79 billion economic impact every year.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) protects Mississippi’s forestland from wildfire, sustainably manages approximately 485,000 acres of forested non-federal public land, and delivers quality forest management services and assistance to both rural and urban private landowners.

Like FY 2020, the 2021 fiscal year was interesting, with the COVID-19 pandemic still guiding the way business was conducted across the state. However, the procedures our Lead Team put in place last fiscal year continued to guide us and allowed us to continue providing vital forest management services to landowners across the state. I want to thank all of our employees for the way they have remained focused and carried out the agency’s mission during this challenging time.

FY 2021 saw some positives for the forestry and forest products industry in Mississippi. In particular, we had several mills announce plans to move into the state. Lumber demand and prices have increased dramatically over the past year, yet timber prices have remained low. Getting these new mills to locate to Mississippi was a team effort. I want to thank all of our economic development partners, at the state and local level, for their work in securing these new facilities. These new mills will go a long way in creating healthier timber markets in Mississippi. And as I like to say, healthy markets lead to healthy forests, which lead to healthy lives.

I want to give a special word of thanks to the MFC’s partners who provide support, collaboration, and implementation of many of our programs and services. We work hard to maintain and develop our relationships with natural resource agencies, organizations, and individuals. These partnerships ensure the citizens of Mississippi receive the best assistance and service possible.

I would also like to thank our state leaders, commissioners, staff, and citizens for their continued support and assistance in making FY 2021 a productive year.

The MFC is proud of our service to the public and our protection of the state’s valuable forest resources. The MFC looks forward to the continued privilege of caring for Mississippi’s trees, forests, and natural resources.

Please feel free to contact our office anytime. We look forward to continuing to serve Mississippians.