Forest management is needed throughout the lower mississippi alluvial valley and more specifically on national wildlife refuges within the theodore roosevelt national wildlife refuge (NWR) complex

To achieve bottomland hardwood forest management goals, needs exist to build on current partnerships, cooperation, and opportunities to manage new projects and overcome staffing shortages. The theodore roosevelt NWR complex and the mississippi forestry commission have worked together to manage lands that are part of panther swamp and ST. Catherine creek nwrs as well as respond to forest fires throughout our complex and other refuges in mississippi. On-going work includes the management of two sections, approximately 640 acres each, in yazoo and adams counties, MS. Within the last year, the mississippi forestry commission responded to wildfires on panther swamp and yazoo nwrs. This long-standing cooperative relationship has set the groundwork for the mississippi forestry commission to work with the complex to address forest management needs. Habitat restoration and improvement of wildlife habitat, increased potential for carbon sequestration, and improved environmental health are only some of the benefits that will be seen throughout the span of this agreement and in future years on the theodore roosevelt NWR complex. Current needs on seven refuges can be funded through a partnership by using the inflation reduction act of 2022. The mississippi forestry commission has not received fundingpreviously from the service or any other entity to address forest management on the specific sites outlined in this agreement.