Natural Resources
Streams, ponds, and rivers. Forestlands, farmlands, and wetlands. Wildlife and fisheries. Mississippi has abundant and diverse natural resources, and many people in the state leverage these resources for business and pleasure. The MSU Extension Service works with stakeholders, state agency partners, and citizens of all ages to explore, study, manage, and conserve these natural resources while finding ways to put them to use in positive ways.
Publications
News
A skunk knows how to make its presence known. With their furry black and white coats and pungent odor, they’re hard to miss! Mississippi is home to two species of skunks: the spotted skunk and the striped skunk. The striped skunk is the most commonly found skunk in the state and are easily identified by, you guessed it, a white stripe on their back.
Mississippians concerned about the number of dead songbirds being found near feeders can use this opportunity to learn best practices to follow when offering birds food and water.
If you’ve been spring cleaning, you may have come across some items you need to donate, recycle, or throw out. Learn what to do with items that shouldn't go in the regular trash or standard recycling bins.
BILOXI, Miss. -- The results of the Great Red Snapper Count are in!
In 2017, a team of fisheries experts began a two-year task of estimating the population size of red snapper in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico through this unprecedented, federally funded $12 million project. Scientists from several Southeastern universities and institutes, including Mississippi State University, used a variety of methods across the Gulf to accomplish this ambitious goal.
Many states are expecting an extra loud chorus of chirping cicadas this summer with the emergence of a massive 17-year brood of the insects, but Mississippi will not be part of this phenomenon.
Success Stories
2020 Pearl River Clean Sweep removes thousands of pounds of trash
Photo essay by Jessi James and Pearl Riverkeeper Volunteers
Since it began 4 years ago, the Pearl River Clean Sweep has removed more than 135,000 pounds of trash from the Pearl River Basin, including the Pearl, Strong, and Bogue Chitto Rivers across 15 Mississippi counties and two Louisiana parishes.
The Clean Sweep offers an opportunity for volunteers to participate in a coordinated effort organized by like-minded leaders. Many people affiliated with the Mississippi State University...
Stories by Leah Barbour • Photos by Kevin Hudson
Four Extension experts named fellows in their disciplines
Four well-respected Mississippi State University Extension Service experts were recently named fellows in prestigious academic and service organizations.
Dr. Leslie Burger, Extension assistant professor, Dr. David Buys, Extension associate professor, and Marc Measells, senior Extension associate, were named fellows in 2020. Dr. John Byrd, Extension and research professor, was named a fellow in 2019.
Burger, a longtime wildlife youth...
Extension meets clients where they are through virtual platforms
Story by Nathan Gregory • Photos by Kevin Hudson
The Mississippi State University Extension Service has been part of Terry Barron’s life in many ways since she moved back to her home state more than 12 years ago.
First, she was a volunteer leader of her two sons’ 4-H club. Now, she is more of a learner as a frequent participant in Extension virtual educational meetings organized by James Shannon, an MSU Extension agent in Pontotoc County, which Barron calls home.
After it...
Drew Sullivan admits his first timber tract would not have fetched an appraiser’s attention, but he usually drove back home from a lumber yard in Kemper County each week with around $150 in his pocket— not bad for a 15-year-old Mississippi boy growing up in the mid-90s.
Turning on a water faucet typically produces a clear and safe product. If that doesn’t happen, there’s trouble.
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