Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Approves 20 New Conservation Projects

The Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund (MOSTF) Board of Trustees approved 20 new projects during its latest meeting, totaling more than $13.6 million in grants. The funding aims to support conservation and outdoor recreation efforts across the state, with additional leveraged funds exceeding $14.1 million, according to officials.

Since its inception in 2022, the trust has funded 100 projects, investing over $50.2 million in legislative appropriations. These projects have attracted more than $100.2 million in matching funds, bringing the total investment to over $150.5 million, said Governor Tate Reeves.

Reeves noted that the funding benefits Mississippi communities and supports more than 79,000 outdoor recreation jobs. The projects submitted from August 1 through September 19 included applications from four state agencies, 25 municipalities, six county governments, and 20 conservation-based nonprofit organizations, according to the governor’s office.

Ricky Flynt, MOSTF executive director, said the grant process emphasizes projects that improve parks, trails, access to waterways, and wildlife habitats across Mississippi. Each application is scored based on criteria outlined in the Outdoor Stewardship Act of 2022.

Among notable projects, the City of Columbus received $536,950 for a fossil park and waterway access, while the Walter Anderson Museum of Art secured $300,000 for a public access project linked to its new campus expansion. The Nature Conservancy was awarded nearly $500,000 to install well timers on farmland to conserve water in the Mississippi Delta.

The trust plans to open its next application cycle in August 2026, pending legislative funding. More information about the projects and application process is available on the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration website.

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