Master of Science in Conservation Education - Mississippi State

08/12/2025

We are so excited to announce that the Master of Science in Conservation Education in the College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University has been accredited by the North American Association of Environmental Education! Receiving this standing after a rigorous evaluation process is a strong statement of the quality of our educational program. Check it out:

MSU conservation education master’s program earns prestigious accreditation Contact: Vanessa Beeson STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s online Master of Science in Conservation Education degree program has earned accreditation from the North American Association for Environmental ...

20/08/2025

Here's an example of an outcome from conservation education -- construction of a bat house near the Mississippi State University campus, guided by several terms of student leaders in the Mississippi State University Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society and supported by faculty, administrators, and student grant programs.

It is very encouraging to see education that leads to action and positive change!

08/08/2025

We are very excited that 10 new people have started their Master of Science in Conservation Education in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University! The enthusiasm these folks have for sharing their love of conservation and the outdoors is a great reminder to me of the power of education and the importance of connecting people with nature and science-based information.

01/08/2025

If you discovered this tiny fungus (it's about the size of pea), what would you name it? Bird's nest fungus? Because that's what it is called!

The "nest" is actually a fruiting body that contains peridioles, egg-like packets that contain spores. When rainwater hits the cup, the peridioles splash out and land several feet away. Once the peridioles dry, spores drop out and grow into new fungi that begin their job of breaking down organic matter and improving soil health.

Science starts with observation. I discovered this fungus in wood chips in a flower bed. In our current digitally-dominated world, we seem to be losing our powers of observation, relying instead on electronic media for exploration. But there are some pretty awesome things outdoors, wherever you live, so I recommend stepping outside for some nature-based exploration. You might be surprised what you find, even in a flower bed!

18/07/2025

14/07/2025

Wildlife is all around us, whether you live in the country or a town. This squirrel-sized "teenager" was living with two litter mates in a quiet corner of a barn in north Mississippi. You can hear the others in the background as they bump into the wall while wrestling.

The mother skunk took advantage of a quiet and relatively safe shelter for her litter. These youngsters are beginning to explore and will soon be striking off on their own. If the opportunity for future "close encounters" is to be avoided, the gap in the barn siding should be fixed.

Like people, wildlife needs food, water, and shelter. If you want more wildlife nearby, take stock of the available food, water and shelter and add more of whatever they need. If you don't want wildlife living so close, take stock of what they may be using and remove it whenever possible.

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