MeatEater, National Deer Association coming to MS for public land habitat improvement

Conservation efforts will get a boost this weekend when "MeatEater" and the National Deer Association come to Mississippi as a part of the Working for Wildlife Tour where the two have partnered with state and federal agencies along with volunteers from the public to improve public land wildlife habitat.

“The Working for Wildlife Tour helps elevate the need and opportunity for folks to come out and chip in on public lands,” Matt Ross, NDA’s director of conservation, said in an announcement about the event. “The NDA is proud to be involved, and we look forward to getting our hands dirty right alongside a bunch of volunteers improving habitat for deer and other wildlife in three locations this year.”

The National Deer Association is an organization focused on the future of deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. MeatEater is an outdoor lifestyle company and host of the "MeatEater" TV series and podcast.

The organizations are working with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, Mississippi Power and volunteers who signed up earlier this year to make habitat improvements on the Leaf River Wildlife Management area. It is located in the DeSoto National Forest near Wiggins.

It's one of several events taking place in various states and dates.

Mark Kenyon of "MeatEater" and Wired to Hunt podcast will be there along with NDA's Matt Ross, Ben Westfall and Sean Hendley. The improvements will include planting native trees, planting food plots and invasive plant removal.

Volunteer events offer hunters, others, chances to connect

Russ Walsh, MDWFP Wildlife chief of staff, said the improvements will benefit multiple species, not just white-tailed deer. He also said gatherings of different agencies, businesses and volunteers from the public allow discussion and exchanges of ideas.

"We've had some in the past," Walsh said. "The most recent one was on Old River WMA where they did a big garbage cleanup."

While all the volunteer positions have been filled for the Leaf River WMA event, Walsh said there will be more opportunities for the public to help improve public land habitat.

"We'll certainly have conversations about these types of events," Walsh said. "For the general public and hunters it offers an opportunity for some buy-in and to be a part of the process."

Mario Rossilli, Public Affairs Officer with the USFS in Jackson said much the same of his agency.

"We're certainly always looking for groups we could work with," Rossilli said. "We're always looking to expand our capacity to make improvements to the forests. We have a lot of shared goals with groups and individuals for healthy forests.

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Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MeatEater, National Deer Assn. to help with MS public land improvement