THE HISTORY
Delta Wildlife was founded in 1990 by 100 farmers, sportsmen, and business leaders who each pledged $1,000.00 per year for three years to establish an organization that would be dedicated to the conservation, enhancement, and restoration of the wildlife and natural resources of the Delta and part-Delta counties of Northwest Mississippi. The organization quickly grew as it implemented projects and programs that generated “on-the-ground” results. Today, Delta Wildlife has become a leader in regional wildlife and natural resource conservation by holding fast to its original mission and implementation-based philosophy.
Senator Thad Cochran addressing the media at the Delta Wildlife Founders Day, May 30, 1990
THE MISSION
Delta Wildlife strives to conserve, enhance, and restore native wildlife habitats, wildlife populations, and the natural resources of the Delta and part-Delta counties of Northwest Mississippi. The organization accomplishes this mission through in several ways:
- By developing, implementing, and monitoring science based projects and programs that address wildlife, wildlife habitat, and natural resource concerns in the region.
- By arming children, sportsmen, land managers, landowners, and the general public with information that will help them make better decisions as conservationists, hunters, fishermen, or wildlife managers.
- By directly assisting landowners, and managers with planning, survey, design, and implementation of habitat management strategies.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President
Tommy Goodwin, Greenville Chairman of the Board Allan Grittman, Ruleville Treasurer Frank Howell, Stoneville Board of Directors Pierce Brown, Schlater Jimmy Bruton, Hollandale Emily Carter, Glen Allan Will Choate, Yazoo City Paul D. Dees, Greenville Hayes Dent, Yazoo City Terry Dulaney, Clarksdale Scott Flowers, Clarksdale Lawson Gary, Greenwood John Howarth, Jr., Cleveland Austin Jones, Moorhead Bryan Jones, Yazoo City Bill Kennedy, Inverness Louis Lambiotte, Vicksburg Mike Lamensdorf, Cary Powell Litton, Greenwood Rance Morgan, Leland Murry McClintock, Tunica Gibb Steele, Greenville Mike Sturdivant Ill, Glendora Bill Ryan Tabb, Cleveland Louie Thompson, Tchula Rod Veazey, Indianola |
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Past Presidents Paul D. Dees, Greenville Bobby Carson, Marks Bowen Flowers, Clarksdale John Murry Greenlee, Yazoo City Austin Jones, Moorhead Bill Kennedy, Inverness Bill Litton, Greenwood Jim Luckett, Dublin Randy Sewall, Coahoma |
THE PHILOSOPHY
Conservation vs. Restoration and Management
Conservation is a critical component of Delta Wildlife’s efforts. However, conservation only sustains existing wildlife habitats and populations. To truly improve wildlife habitat and provide an opportunity for wildlife populations to grow, you must do more than conserve. For this reason, Delta Wildlife focuses on restoration, enhancement, and management of wildlife habitats. By nature, this makes Delta Wildlife an implementation-oriented organization whereby a vast majority of the organization’s time and money is spent on “on-the-ground” projects that generate measurable benefits for wildlife and those who enjoy the resource.
Conservation is a critical component of Delta Wildlife’s efforts. However, conservation only sustains existing wildlife habitats and populations. To truly improve wildlife habitat and provide an opportunity for wildlife populations to grow, you must do more than conserve. For this reason, Delta Wildlife focuses on restoration, enhancement, and management of wildlife habitats. By nature, this makes Delta Wildlife an implementation-oriented organization whereby a vast majority of the organization’s time and money is spent on “on-the-ground” projects that generate measurable benefits for wildlife and those who enjoy the resource.
Tied to the Land
Delta Wildlife works for everyone who has a vested interest in the region’s wildlife and natural resources. However, the organization cannot effectively improve our wildlife and natural resources if does not work closely with the people who control the land. The success of Delta Wildlife depends on the willing support and cooperation of landowners and land managers. Without land, there can be no “on-the-ground” habitat restoration, habitat enhancement, or management.
Delta Wildlife works for everyone who has a vested interest in the region’s wildlife and natural resources. However, the organization cannot effectively improve our wildlife and natural resources if does not work closely with the people who control the land. The success of Delta Wildlife depends on the willing support and cooperation of landowners and land managers. Without land, there can be no “on-the-ground” habitat restoration, habitat enhancement, or management.
Regional Focus
Despite the fact that the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta and adjacent Loess Bluff share many wildlife and natural resource concerns with the rest of Mississippi, there are also many local issues and concerns that are unique to the region. For this reason, the founders of Delta Wildlife wanted the organization to focus its effort within the region in order to best address regional concerns. Delta Wildlife has no aspirations to expand its operation outside of its existing operating area because it believes that it would limit the organization’s ability to address issues right here at home.
Despite the fact that the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta and adjacent Loess Bluff share many wildlife and natural resource concerns with the rest of Mississippi, there are also many local issues and concerns that are unique to the region. For this reason, the founders of Delta Wildlife wanted the organization to focus its effort within the region in order to best address regional concerns. Delta Wildlife has no aspirations to expand its operation outside of its existing operating area because it believes that it would limit the organization’s ability to address issues right here at home.
Accountability
Delta Wildlife strives to obtain the highest possible level of accountability among its membership, other conservation organizations, wildlife agencies, natural resource agencies, regulatory agencies, biologists, researchers, and other peers. Both the staff and Board of Directors are committed to operating an organization whose actions cannot be questioned or refuted in anyway. Delta Wildlife’s field operations are based on sound science. The organization’s administration is based on democracy and good business ethics. Every thing the organization does is thoroughly and precisely documented.
Delta Wildlife strives to obtain the highest possible level of accountability among its membership, other conservation organizations, wildlife agencies, natural resource agencies, regulatory agencies, biologists, researchers, and other peers. Both the staff and Board of Directors are committed to operating an organization whose actions cannot be questioned or refuted in anyway. Delta Wildlife’s field operations are based on sound science. The organization’s administration is based on democracy and good business ethics. Every thing the organization does is thoroughly and precisely documented.
