Conserving Mississippi's Lands, Waters and Wildlife
Since 1965, The Nature Conservancy has been working to conserve more than 165,000 acres of iconic landscapes from the Gulf Coast to the Mississippi Delta. Together, we can make a measurable, lasting difference in Mississippi.
We support innovative policy solutions that create opportunities for both people and nature to thrive.
Explore Our Legislative Priorities
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- Established during the 2022 Legislative Session as a funding mechanism to encourage investment in outdoor recreation and conservation projects across Mississippi with a competitive grant process available to state agencies, counties, municipalities and nongovernmental entities.
- The initial investment included a $10 million appropriation for FY23 which was followed with another $15M in FY24, and $12M in FY25.
- The fund is governed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Governor (4) and Lt. Governor (3) allows for improvements to both state and local parks; restoration of public lands and waters for outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation; working partnerships on private agricultural and forest lands to support soil, water and habitat conservation.
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- With the recent changes to Waters of the United States via Sackett vs EPA, there is much uncertainty for how this unfolds under state authority.
- TNC will support policies that allow for continued protection of our state’s water resources, as they are essential for all aspects of life, without unreasonable limitations that negatively impact economic sustainability.
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- Mississippi’s seafood industry and coastal economy has repeatedly suffered due to impacts from a variety of natural disasters, including freshwater inflows from Bonnet Carre’ Spillway, hurricanes, and oil spills.
- TNC will support policies that promote and protect a sustainable fishing environment for the MS Gulf Coast through partnerships, management systems, pilot projects and increased funding for oyster restoration enhancements, including promoting and investing in off-bottom aquaculture.
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- Our state is uniquely positioned to receive federal resources from outer continental shelf energyexploration, which provides Mississippi with tremendous opportunities to restore and protect our coastline.
- TNC supports projects that enhance coastal conservation, restoration and provide resilience to our coast.
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Support policies that incentivize the use of renewable energy technologies and economic opportunities in Mississippi communities while using science as a guide for site selection.
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TNC supports restoring a citizen led process that allows for a reasonable number of collected signatures to amend/create state law.
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Advocate for continued and enhanced investments in natural resource protection and management through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Download A Copy
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Download a copy to support your discussions, committee work and budget planning. Contact information for our Director of Government Relations is included.
How We Work with Others
to Make a Difference
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Partner
Invite us to the table to collaboratively address nature loss alongside landowners, organizations, communities, and local, state and federal government agencies.
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Policy
Develop conservation policies that reflect our shared values and goals, ensuring the protection of nature while enabling effective natural resource management strategies.
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Support
Invest in our future by funding initiatives that encourage conservation of our lands and waters, and balance development with ecological integrity.
Decades of Hands-on Expertise Working with Communities & Government at All Levels
We have shared policy recommendations and fostered a world where both people and nature thrive. As a non-partisan, evidence-based organization, we strive to advance policy solutions that support land and water conservation.
Take Action for Mississippi
Every acre we preserve, every river mile restored, every habitat we save for wildlife is because of you.
Contact Government Relations
Justin Brooks
Director of Government Relations
The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi