There is a new term called 'geotourism' that is being used by the travel industry to identify tourists who desire a more complete travel experience. The states of the lower Mississippi region opt for the more descriptive term natural heritage tourism.

Natural heritage tourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism - that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations - while allowing for ways to protect a place's character. It also takes a principle from ecotourism - that tourism revenue should promote conservation - and extends it to culture and history as well, that is, all distinctive assets of a place.

Some forms of agritourism may be considered a subset of natural heritage tourism, particularly if the agricultural operation emphasizes maintenance of biodiversity, organic practices, wildlife compatibility, or hands-on experiences relating to farming, local culture or cuisine.

By: K Gregg Elliott
A Bird Trail is more than a trail in the literal sense.  It is a “necklace” of sites, usually linked by a physiographic feature such as a river, that are united by the theme of “great for bird watching!”  Birding Trails are essentially driving routes that help you get from one prime birding spot to the next.   Read More »


By: K Gregg Elliott
A Bird Trail is more than a trail in the literal sense.  It is a “necklace” of sites, usually linked by a physiographic feature such as a river, that are united by the theme of “great for bird watching!”  Birding Trails are essentially driving routes that help you get from one prime birding spot to the next. 
Read More »


Natural heritage tourism (or geotourism as defined by National Geographic) is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Read More »


By: K Gregg Elliott

Natural heritage tours may involve travel to areas of natural, ecological, or cultural interest, often but not always with the assistance of a guide.  Mississippi has cultural and natural attractions in equal measure, including music, Civil War and civil rights history, culinary tours, agritourism, museums, birding, hunting, and boating.

Read More »


By: K Gregg Elliott
Renowned for its hunting, Tara Wildlife also offers birding, hiking and a well-equipped conference and recreation facility. Read More »

The great outdoors! That’s the one element common to the scores of activities falling under this category.

Outdoor recreation activities involve temporary living quarters outdoors or outdoor pastimes or both. Accommodations run the gamut from wilderness tent camping to farmstays to grand park lodges, and physical pursuits can occur in the water, on land, and even in the air (hang gliding, kite boarding). Outdoor activities may be consumptive, such as hunting, fishing, or mushrooming, or nonconsumptive, such as bird watching, biking, or photography. Pursuits that take place outside can be relatively high impact, such as the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) or low-impact, such as leave-no-trace hiking.

By: K Gregg Elliott
The cradle of the blues and known for its southern charm, Civil War history, and verdant countryside, Mississippi offers outdoor recreation for all tastes.  Mississippi culture is very outdoor oriented, heavily influenced by agriculture and hunting, while offering so much more.   Read More »



Dovetail Partners, Inc. has created an interactive map of organizations that provide resources, information, and assistance for people interested in planting trees. Each organization offers opportunities to get involved, whether it’s planting trees or making donations for trees and seeds. Click here. 
It’s no secret that planting a tree is one of the best actions that you can take to improve and protect the environment. What you may not know, however, is that there are already hundreds of programs and efforts dedicated towards planting trees. By planting trees, we can improve air quality, harbor wildlife, and reduce carbon emissions that affect our climate. 

The following news articles are provided by the Google News service and do not reflect the views or imply an endorsement by the Mississippi Conservation Center and its affiliates. We cannot guarantee the relevance of the content of this page or any links that may be followed from the articles herein.

Red Wing mayoral Q&A — part 1 Republican Eagle Member of Live Healthy Red Wing, 2011 – 2012 Currently serving on the Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission, the Joint Powers Recreation Board, and the Cannon Valley Trail Board. Outdoor enthusiast of biking, hiking, kayaking, and cross-country ... and more »

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Parish Pump Hailsham- May 24, 2013 Sussex Express Set in Mississippi in the 1960s, it tells the story of three very different women who form an unlikely friendship. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm next Friday May 31. Guests are welcome, contact email carolinelouisethompson@gmail.com or see one of the ... and more »

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KGNB 1420 AM

Christus & McKenna Team Up to Renovate Children's Museum Exhibit KGNB 1420 AM Wesson and San Antonio Children's Hospital's Marcy Doderer both spoke to the crowd, and later took a look around the facility. The Children's Museum is an indoor and outdoor recreation and learning facility located at 801 West San Antonio Street. Here ...

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Learn bicycle safety and rules of the road at the Pascagoula Bike Rodeo on ... Mississippi Press (blog) PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The City of Pascagoula Parks and Recreation will be hosting the first annual Pascagoula Bike Rodeo on Saturday Kids ages prek-15 years and parents are invited to the Pascagoula Riverfront, 3104 Front St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m ...

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Silver City area events May 23-26 Silver City Sun News Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Silver City Recreation Center, 1016 N. Silver St. Based on traditional Tai Chi, this program works for all people. It also meets the needs of those with diminished ... Bike-In Movie Night, 8:30 ...

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Wow! Factor in satellite imagery of coast; fracking's pollution toll; NOLA ... The lens Some of the buildings date to the early 1900s, when the Navy opened a Naval Station along the Mississippi River's West Bank of New Orleans, while others are more modern.” Lower Garden District neighbors seek explanations for changes at NORD facility at ... and more »

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Wearing your life jacket can save your life Quad-Cities Online The Corps' Rock Island District manages recreation sites at its five reservoirs and along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. In fiscal year 2012, the District's 1,959 campsites, 20 boat ramps, eight public beaches, and five Visitor Centers ... and more »

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Our view: Land conservation worthy effort Chippewa Herald Marc Schultz, of the La Crosse County Conservation Alliance said the state Conservation Congress, representing “all political philosophies” and outdoor uses, voted unanimously last week in support of the program. Tim Jacobson, executive director of the ...

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New farm bill to provide 'balanced' risk management tools for nation's farmers Delta Farm Press Roger Wicker, Mississippi's junior senator; and Delta Council President Bill Litton, repeated much the same message during a press briefing for members of the local and agricultural media. “We've tried to look at every region and see what ... “Healthy ... and more »

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Airport grant potential tops Council agenda Blytheville Courier News An ordinance designating persons primarily responsible for the collection of fines assessed in the District Court of Mississippi County. The measure calls for ... Grant and Services. She will be discussing the Arkansas Outdoor Recreation 50/50 Matching ...

Mississippi is a state of traditions, and some of those traditions include the New Year’s Day hunt, the opening day of dove season, and a plethora of duck blinds in the Delta region. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is the best place to begin learning about hunting in Mississippi.

Their many programs include the Migratory Game Bird Program , which provides free technical assistance to landowners seeking to improve their property for hunting. They also run the Magnolia Records program, which provides an antler score and photo of record bucks taken across the state as well as individually by county.

The game in Mississippi is abundant and diverse, including white-tailed deer, rabbit, dove, squirrel, wild turkey, quail, a variety of waterfowl, and even alligator. Because the state encompasses a large part of the Mississippi River delta, it is prime territory for mallard, pintail, wigeon, gadwall, and other puddle ducks that migrate along the Mississippi Flyway.

The Mississippi Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system is expansive and diverse. It includes 50 areas encompassing over 665,000 acres. They reach from the lower Appalachians through rolling hardwood hills of southwestern Mississippi to the deep, rich soils of the Delta. They may be publicly or privately owned.

By: Artis Ford - MSU Farmweek
Prescribed burning is a very important management tool for maintaining and enhancing southern forestlands. Fire has been an important natural part in the development and maintenance of forests throughout history. To many of us, fire is a feared enemy that destroys everything in its path. Because of this, the use of controlled fires, such as prescribed burning, is underutilized as a management tool for improving and maintaining habitats. Watch this video on how prescribed burning actually improves woodlands and habitat. Read More »


By: Artis Ford - MSU Farmweek
Watch a video about developing and maintaining wild turkey habitat on your land. Video from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, MSUCares.com. Read More »


By: K Gregg Elliott

Natural heritage tours may involve travel to areas of natural, ecological, or cultural interest, often but not always with the assistance of a guide.  Mississippi has cultural and natural attractions in equal measure, including music, Civil War and civil rights history, culinary tours, agritourism, museums, birding, hunting, and boating.

Read More »


By: Food Plot
One of the first things that every fledgling wildlife manager learns is that nutrition is the key to attracting and keeping big bucks. The second thing they learn is how expensive it is to grow good food plots. This buyer’s guide offers a practical approach to planning and planting effective plots that won’t break the bank.
Read More »


By: Deer Hunting Big Bucks
There are many things you can do to get your property ready for planting those food plots.If you are someone who is serious about deer hunting big bucks, I wanted to outline some of the things you need to think about when preparing and planting your food plots. There is so much information out there sometimes it can all be confusing. Read More »


By: K Gregg Elliott
Feral animals are those that have returned to an untamed state after having been domesticated.  Such is the case with almost all the wild pigs in North America.  Although some of the truly wild Eurasian or “Russian” boars have been brought to the U.S., they are rare, and most feral hogs descend from livestock or are a hybrid of the two species. Read More »


This 40-page document provides detailed information on the biology of wild pigs, how to recognize their presence, the type of damage they can cause to agriculture and natural areas and a wide range of management techniques, including hunting.  It applies to just about anywhere in the U.S. where wild pigs are found. Read More »

The following news articles are provided by the Google News service and do not reflect the views or imply an endorsement by the Mississippi Conservation Center and its affiliates. We cannot guarantee the relevance of the content of this page or any links that may be followed from the articles herein.

Jackson Clarion Ledger (blog)

Mississippi Duck Opener Traditions Continued Jackson Clarion Ledger (blog) The 2012 Mississippi duck hunting season opener was no exception. We abided the tradition of saying it – on several occasions. Where young Cooper's inexperience could have cost us a few birds on the strap, we had the more experienced Asia, Ian's pup ...

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WOODS: MSU's waterfowl research revealing Mississippi Business Journal (blog) His thesis study titled “Home Range, Habitat Selection, and Survival of Radiomarked Mallards on Hunted and Refuge Wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley” is a long research proposal title to simply say he is studying how mallard ducks move about ...

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2013 -2014 Hunting Season Rules Proposed WJTV Staff from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks presented proposed rules for the 2013-14 hunting season to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks at its monthly public meeting on April 17. These proposed ...

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Commission Approves Alligator Hunting Seasons WJTV On April 18, 2013, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks finalized regulations for the 2013 Mississippi alligator hunting seasons on public waters and private lands. The public waters season will expand this year to include more opportunities ... and more »

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San Francisco Chronicle

10-year-old feared buried in landslide at Mississippi River bluff park Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The park, popular for fossil-hunting, is situated on a Mississippi River bluff. The Pioneer Press reported that in the moments after the landslide, the first St. Paul firefighters and police on the scene dug for victims with bare hands before switching ... Photos: The deadly St. Paul landslideMinnesota Public Radio Body of 2nd child found in deadly Minn. landslidePhilly.com St. Paul begins search for answers after landslide that took two young livesPioneer Press KSTP.com -Daily Mail all 111 news articles »

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UCLA at Stanford Friday Baseball Thread: National Seed Hunting In Palo Alto Bruins Nation Indiana is also in the race, despite no overly impressive series wins, but Mississippi St.'s hot finish to the season has them in the mix too. Still, the Bruins are right there and a series win, or ideally a sweep over Stanford this weekend gives them ... and more »

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MiamiHerald.com

Illinois judge charged with heroin, gun possession CorrectionsOne LOUIS — A southwestern Illinois judge already under scrutiny after a colleague died of a cocaine overdose at his family's hunting lodge was charged Friday with possession of heroin and guns. Wearing cutoff shorts and a ... Earlier Friday, the county ... Feds Probe Southwestern Illinois JudgeCBS Local all 31 news articles »

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Conquer King Turkey The Herald Argus Later in the afternoon, after I wrote that column, we headed west a couple of hours to hunt another region that stretches along the mighty Mississippi River. This is rough terrain where every road and homestead required the work of many men. Tough ones ...

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Lilydale Park landslide: Injured boys identified Pioneer Press The boys were on a fossil-hunting field trip to the St. Paul park Wednesday when a rain-soaked Mississippi River bluff 30 to 40 feet high crumbled. Two of their Peter Hobart Elementary classmates were killed. The body of Haysem Sani, 9, was found ...

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Annual waterfowl hunter survey available to hunters LSU The Reveille The survey is also a continuation of a cooperative human-dimensions research project by RNR doctoral student Luke Laborde that focuses on what hunters want in the Mississippi Flyway, Rohwer said. The Mississippi Flyway is a migration route that follows ... and more »