Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

While outdoor sites and trails remain OPEN at Missisippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge during the current coronavirus pandemic, we urge visitors to follow CDC guidelines. Maintain adequate social distancing, avoid overcrowding and exercise good hygiene. If a parking lot is full when you visit, please do not stop. We understand that the outdoors can help relieve stress, but these guidelines must be followed for our public health and safety. For more information please visit our webpage, https://fws.gov/home/public-health-update.html

***June 16, 2021*** **Informational Bulletin** *Prescribed Fire Scheduled* The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct prescribed firing operations today (06/16/21) at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site represents 400 acres located north of Interstate 10, near Seaman Road in the vicinity of the wastewater treatment plant in Ocean Springs, MS.... Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savannah, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and Dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels is also part of the Service’s mission. Recent rains have made burning much safer and meteorological conditions favor smoke dispersal today. These conditions allow a burn permit to be issued from the State. The Refuge staff is highly trained in fire operations and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads and trails in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

A rare beauty, the multiflowered grass pink (Calopogon multifloris), numbers among one of the rarest orchids in North America and is considered critically imperiled in its native habitat. This delicate beauty depends on the awesome power of fire, which we manage through our prescribed firing program, to survive! This orchid needs fire (in the mid to late dormant season) to bloom - generally blooming 5 weeks after a burn moves through the area. It is truly a fire-adapted speci...es! The population of the multiflowered grass pink orchid on the refuge is one of the largest outside of the state of Florida. The refuge uses prescribed firing to retain and restore the wet pine savanna habitat, which many species, from orchids to cranes, depend on for survival. [Photo Credit: USFWS Scott Hereford, Biologist points to a blooming Calopogon multiflorus) See more

The C.L Dees Trail is now back open and ready for you to explore! We've done a little "remodeling" with our recent prescribed burn, but we think you'll love the end results as much as our wildlife does! Our prescribed burns help to maintain the open pine savannas that the cranes (and many other flora and fauna) need to survive and thrive.

***May 28, 2021***Informational Bulletin***Prescribed Fire Scheduled and continued closure of C.L. Dees Trail*** The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct prescribed firing operations today (05/28/21) at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site represents 279 acres located south of Interstate 10 and west of Gautier-Vancleave Road (near exit 61)in Gautier, MS. Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to r...estore the native wet pine savannah, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and Dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels is also part of the Service’s mission. Recent rains have made burning much safer and meteorological conditions favor smoke dispersal today. These conditions allow a burn permit to be issued from the State. The Refuge staff is highly trained in fire operations and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads and trails in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons. due to yesterday's prescribed burn along the C.L. Dees Trail, the trail will remain closed today to ensure the safety of visitors - once the trail is cleared of all potential hot spots, the area will be reopened to the public.

***May 27, 2021*** **Informational Bulletin** *Prescribed Fire Scheduled - C.L. Dees Trail Temporarily Closed* The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct prescribed firing operations today (05/27/21) at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site represents 200 acres located north of Interstate 10 and west of Gautier-Vancleave Road (near exit 61) in the vicinity of the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR Visitor Center and Headquar...ters in Gautier, MS. The C.L. Dees Trail, located across from the Visitor Center, will be closed during this operation for the safety of our visitors and staff. Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savannah, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and Dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels is also part of the Service’s mission. Recent rains have made burning much safer and meteorological conditions favor smoke dispersal today. These conditions allow a burn permit to be issued from the State. The Refuge staff is highly trained in fire operations and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads and trails in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

***May 26, 2021*** -Informational Bulletin- -Prescribed Fire Scheduled at Refuge- The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct prescribed firing operations today (05/26/21) at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site represents 295 acres located east of Gautier-Vancleave Road and north of Interstate 10 (exit 61) in Gautier, MS.... Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savannah, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and Dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels is also part of the Service’s mission. Recent rains have made burning much safer and meteorological conditions favor smoke dispersal today. These conditions allow a burn permit to be issued from the State. The Refuge staff is highly trained in fire operations and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads and trails in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.