From the State Director

Mississippi Preserve Assessment team from AL, FL and MS.
© Rebecca Stowe

On August 29, 2005, Mississippi experienced Hurricane Katrina’s cataclysmic blow. With more than 15 staff who live and work in south Mississippi and thousands of partners, members and friends who live in the hardest hit areas of the state, the immediate reaction from the staff and board of the Mississippi Chapter was one of great concern and response to human needs. To those who suffered loss, we extend our sympathy and continued concern and prayers.

As the chaos of the first few weeks evolved into courageous steps toward recovery, we were able to focus on our mission and to join the efforts of many partners and communities working toward restorative recovery. I was honored to have been appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. My participation in the Renewal Forum and Charette in 2005 gave me valuable insights about how we as Mississippians value our beautiful natural resources.

After Katrina, colleagues from other Nature Conservancy offices came to our aid and helped us conduct site assessments at all of our preserves and conservation easements in south Mississippi — more than 10,000 acres. The information from these assessments helped our staff prioritize and implement actions to insure the critical needs on our preserves and other high-priority natural areas are met so that native plants and animals can adapt to the changed conditions and ultimately recover from this event.

The Nature Conservancy works to preserve abundant natural areas and buffers that protect wildlife, people and communities, and to provide a better quality of life for us all. Your continued financial support and membership plays a direct role in this effort and helps provide a sustainable future for Mississippi — for our people and our places. Thank you! We look forward to working with you all in the coming years of great transformation in our state.

Thank you for your support.

Robbie Fisher
State Director
rfisher@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy
Mississippi Field Office
405 Briarwood Drive, Suite 101
Jackson, MS 39206
(601) 713-3355