Mississippi’s Fire on the Forty Initiative wins land stewardship award at NWTF convention

The National Wild Turkey Federation’s 50th Annual Convention and Sport Show was held last week in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks was honored with the Land Stewardship Award for its Fire on the Forty initiative, a private lands habitat program that encourages prescribed fire to restore and improve wildlife habitat across Mississippi, according to department officials.

John Gruchy, MDWFP Private Lands Program Coordinator, said the award recognizes the partnerships and landowners involved with the program, as well as the benefits of prescribed fire for wildlife and forest health.

Since its launch, Fire on the Forty has focused on educating landowners about ecological benefits and proper use of prescribed fire. The program also provides cost-share support to help offset burning costs.

Over the past 15 years, the initiative has helped restore more than 100,000 acres of fire-maintained habitat and has engaged over 1,200 landowners through workshops and field days, officials said. The department expressed gratitude to the NWTF and its partners for supporting habitat improvement and land stewardship efforts across the state.

Read more about the award at MDWFP website.

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