Statewide sgcn surveys and biological collections management through the MS museum of natural science

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks has been awarded $1,042,425 through the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program (CFDA 15.634) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. This formula grant funds comprehensive surveys and biological collections management activities targeting species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) through the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. The project implements conservation actions aligned with Mississippi's State Wildlife Action Plan, focusing on habitat and species management, planning and policy development, and research and survey initiatives to assess SGCN status and identify associated threats.

Under this award, the grantee will conduct surveys to evaluate SGCN populations, analyze collected data, and disseminate findings to inform wildlife management decisions. The project deliverables include updated species status assessments, threat identification and analysis, and refined conservation planning inputs that will inform future habitat and species management efforts. Information generated through these surveys and data management activities will be incorporated into Mississippi's Wildlife Action Plan updates and broader conservation planning processes affecting SGCN and their habitats across the state.

In accordance with the state wildlife action plans 4 categories of conservation actions, this project by the mississippi department of wildlife, fisheries, and parks will implement more specific conservation actions identified under habitat and species management, planning and policy, and research and survey. To evaluate and make effective decisions and recommendations regarding the conservation of species of greatest conservation need, we must have up to date information. This project will focus on surveys targeting the status of sgcn as well as assessing and identifying threats. Funding of this project will permit continuation of data analysis, and dissemination to promote better management of sgcn and habitats. Information collected will be used to evaluate status of sgcn, further refine mississippis swap, and be incorporated into planning efforts that affect sgcn and their habitats.