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News and Events
Improving Wildlife Habitat in Mississippi
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has implemented a new forest management approach on its wildlife management areas (WMAs). Timber will be managed to optimize habitat for all wildlife species, from reptiles and amphibians, to deer, turkeys, to waterfowl and song birds.
This new forest management approach is called Desired Forest Conditions (DFCs). DFC standards have been developed for bottomland hardwoods and have been implemented for many years on state and federal lands in Arkansas and Louisiana. Timber managed for DFCs is different than most other forestry practices. The primary objective is to maximize wildlife habitat and not fiber production. DFC management calls for a mixed species stand across pulpwood and saw-timber size classes. This is not at the expense of timber production, as it actually enhances the marketability of the timber. Thus, you always have timber to sell that meets a market demand.
“After seeing timber managed using DFC standards, I knew it was the best approach for forest habitat management based on today’s most current science,” states Ron Seiss, MDWFP Director of Conservation Programs. Seiss goes on to say, “It is the management of a diverse range of tree species across the forest to meet the broadest range of wildlife species. The focus is on wildlife management while not decreasing the value of a timber stand and diversifying your timber portfolio.”
Work is underway by the MDWFP, and other states and federal agencies to develop a pine DFC system. Once complete, pine DFC management will have a broader reach than the hardwood DFC model due to the greater total acreage of pines across the southeastern US being more than the acreage of bottomland hardwoods.
For more information on timber management for wildlife, please contact the MDWFP at (601) 432-2199.
The mission of the MDWFP is to conserve Mississippi’s wildlife, fisheries, and parks and provide quality outdoor recreation. To learn more go to http://www.mdwfp.com