Shared Stewardship
Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and State of Mississippi commit to advancing cooperative forest management
Washington, D.C., September 17, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have signed a shared stewardship memorandum of understanding with the State of Mississippi and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reaffirming a coordination on forest management across boundaries on priority landscapes in the state.
"The agreement reinforces the Forest Service's commitment to expanding partnerships and markets, improving forest health through active management, and enhancing coordinated wildfire risk reduction efforts across Mississippi," said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. "By working together to increase prescribed fire, expand growing season burns, and ensure a sustainable timber supply to strengthen forest health and the state's forest-based economy, this renewed partnership also supports existing industries and emerging wood product markets, enhances opportunities for hunting and fishing, and reaffirms our commitment to cooperative efforts across all Mississippi forests."
The Forest Service also aims to develop innovative wood product markets, address market barriers in coordination with federal agencies, and expand timber volume and fuels treatments through Good Neighbor Authority agreements. Also, the agreement will improve collaboration on longleaf pine restoration and wildlife habitats, manage invasive species and help protect rare and federally listed species.
“Mississippi’s forestry industry is one of the pillars of our state’s economy, and protecting it requires strong partnerships,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “This agreement allows state and federal agencies to work more efficiently across ownership boundaries to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, support private landowners, and strengthen Mississippi’s timber economy.”
"This agreement strengthens forest management across ownership boundaries and benefits everyone involved," said Mississippi State Forester Russell Bozeman. "By improving the health and resilience of national forest lands, we reduce wildfire risk, mitigate forest health threats such as the southern pine beetle, and support more productive forests for neighboring private landowners and surrounding communities."
The Forest Service, State of Mississippi, NRCS and FWS will continue working with local governments, private landowners, tribal partners and stakeholders to implement shared stewardship projects across the state.
"Shared Stewardship is about action and accountability. By partnering with Mississippi and the Forest Service, NRCS will continue delivering conservation practices where they matter most-on working farms, ranches, and forestlands. This agreement helps us meet landowners where they are, improve forest health and water resources, and keep Mississippi's rural economies strong," said NRCS Assistant Chief, South Region, Kennon White.
"Conservation succeeds when we work together across property lines and organizational boundaries," said USFWS Southeast Region Director Mike Oetker. "Through Shared Stewardship, we are bringing together federal, state, and local partners to improve forest health, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, and build more resilient landscapes. By working together, we can deliver lasting benefits for Mississippi's natural resources, outdoor recreation, and the communities that rely on healthy forests."
The Forest Service is working with state and local governments to manage the nation's forests more effectively. Agreements such as this one help create more responsive local decision-making, stronger partnerships, and better results for Mississippi's communities. The agreement also formalizes the strong collaboration that exists between Mississippi and the Forest Service and supports implementation of Executive Order 14225 Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production. This agreement follows similar shared stewardship agreements.
Mississippi's 19.2 million acres of forestlands provide abundant forest products as a renewable source of wood fiber, clean water for communities and agriculture, support a thriving outdoor recreation and tourism economy, and provide outstanding fish and wildlife habitat. Learn more at the National Forests in Mississippi webpage.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.