09/03/2026
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership, Training, and Impact
August 26 marked the 10th anniversary of the Wildlife Services National Training Academy (NTA) at Mississippi State University.
Established through a landmark partnership between Mississippi State University and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service program, the NTA became the nation's first academy dedicated to training professionals who safely and effectively resolve human-wildlife conflicts. The partnership was formalized by MSU President Mark E. Keenum and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Deputy Administrator William H. Clay, whose leadership helped lay the foundation for the Academy's success.
For the past decade, the Academy, housed within the College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University and Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Mississippi State, has served as a national hub for training, outreach, and professional development. Through classroom instruction, field experiences, workshops, and online learning, the Academy has helped prepare wildlife professionals from across the country to address complex human-wildlife challenges.
This milestone reflects the strength of collaboration among Mississippi State University, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, the College of Forest Resources, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University Extension Service, and many dedicated partners.
Thank you to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, Wildlife Services professionals, and partners who have contributed to the Academy's success over the last 10 years. We look forward to continuing a legacy of excellence in training, education, and service for years to come.
Here's to the next decade of impact.
🔗 Learn more about the partnership that established the National Training Academy at Mississippi State University a decade ago through the link in our comments.
