The Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees has approved another round of grant selections for 20 conservation and outdoor recreation projects.
Gov. Tate Reeves made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the allocation totals more than $13.6 million in state funds and leverages over $14.1 million in additional federal, state, local, private, and in-kind funding to complete the projects.
“The MOSTF Board of Trustees continues to accomplish tremendous things on behalf of Mississippi since I signed the Outdoor Stewardship Act into law in 2022,” Reeves stated. “There have now been over 100 projects funded across the state benefitting Mississippi communities and supporting jobs.”
Reeves noted that, through four rounds of grants, over $50.2 million in legislative appropriations have been distributed and over $100.2 million in matching funds have been leveraged for wildlife and fisheries conservation and nature-based outdoor recreation across Mississippi. In 2022, Mississippi lawmakers passed a bill to create a state match mechanism to draw matching funds from other sources for the advancement of the state’s outdoors.
“It is exciting to watch these investments improve communities around the state and enhance our state’s $8 billion outdoor recreation economy, which supports more than 79,000 jobs,” Reeves continued.
Of the 20 projects approved from 60 applicants, a few include a fossil-hunting opportunity in Columbus, a connection between the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Front Beach in Ocean Springs, and the installation of 250 well timers across 25,000 acres in the Mississippi Delta to ensure better water quality and conservation.
The latest round of projects covers four state agencies, 25 municipalities, six county governments, and 20 conservation-based and non-governmental organizations.
“This program is establishing its place in conservation and outdoor recreation history for the state of Mississippi thanks to the generous support of Gov. Reeves and the Mississippi Legislature,” said Ed Penny, president of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Coalition. “Our coalition has worked long and hard to highlight the importance of this program for our state and are very proud of the progress and accomplishments.”
A full list of project summaries can be found here. The next application cycle for Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship funds will open in August.