Points of Pride Our department has been leading the way in a number of research, education and service endeavors, translating knowledge into impact.
See our points of pride below.

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Research

  • Our forestry scientists were pioneers in the field of photogrammetry and the first on campus to establish methods to interpolate satellite photos, ground truth observations and computer data.

  • Scientists in the Department of Forestry were the first in the nation to develop a software program to determine where the forest inventory resources are available in the state. Through the use of satellite imagery and ground analysis, the software allows forest products companies to determine the exact economically-feasible location to place a plant or mill with the closest access to the raw materials and workers.

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Teaching

  • 25 years and counting! The Society of American Foresters student chapter has been nationally ranked in the Top 3 for the last 25 years.

  • The Department of Forestry is one of the only programs in the nation to offer hands-on experience in applied forest management through its intensive, 9-week Summer Field Program.

  • Faculty and students in the Department of Forestry lead the Campus Tree Advisory Committee and were instrumental in the naming of Mississippi State as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Thanks to their leadership, there are over 10,000 trees on campus.

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Extension

  • MSU Extension Forestry provides the economics of forestry and forest products by county and congressional region within the state. A two-page publication was created for each of the state's 71 predominately forested counties. Each report explains how county economies benefit from forestry and forest products industries.

  • Forestry extension specialists work with stakeholders, state agency partners, and citizens of all ages to explore, study, manage, and conserve natural resources while finding ways to put them to use in positive ways, creating solutions for our collective future.

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Forestry in Mississippi

Forests make significant, positive contributions to the quality of life for Mississippians. By providing almost 70,000 jobs, a wealth of forest products, improved water quality, green spaces, wildlife habitat, recreational experiences, and economic benefits, forests are vital to the health of our state. The forestry and forest products industry has a $13.12 billion economic impact in Mississippi.

  • 19,244,571
    Total Acreage
  • 125,000
    Forest Landowners
  • $1.3
    billion value
    Timber Harvest
  • $13.12
    Billion Dollars
  • 61,619
    Jobs (Full & Part)
  • $2.96
    Billion in Wages
  • #1 for Tree Farms in the entire United States

Our History

The Department of Forestry has a deeply rooted history of teaching the future's industry leaders. In 1954, the Mississippi Legislature created the School of Forestry within the College of Agriculture. One year later, the first two professional forestry degrees were awarded. Thus began a long tradition of training professional foresters to manage the state's and nation's vast timber resources. In 1961, the School of Forestry became a separate entity from the College of Agriculture. In 1967, the School of Forestry was renamed the School of Forest Resources, and the forestry undergraduate education program was accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The department began offering master's degrees in 1968 and doctoral degrees in 1979. Today, our students, faculty, and staff continue the legacy of teaching, research, and extension, using science-based solutions to make an impact that matters.

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Get In Touch

Located at
The Department of Forestry

Mail To
P.O. Box 9681
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9601

Location
Room 105 Thompson Hall

Call Us
(662) 325-2949

Fax Us
(662) 325-8726

Our People