"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
- Henry DavidThoreau

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe, the less taste we shall have for destruction."
- Rachel Carson

The Natural Resources Initiative of North Mississippi (NRI) brings together federal, state and local representatives from the natural resources and economic development sectors to protect and sustain our natural resources while promoting business development opportunities. NRI began in November 2001 with a series of meetings and planning sessions. NRI incorporates the goals and objectives of its network organizations by promoting partnerships and leveraging of resources.  NRI serves a twenty-eight county area in Northeastern Mississippi.                    

                                                                                               Second Annual Sustainable Community Conference, January 11, 2008

Click here to download our latest NRI Sourcebook  and list of partners.

For information on native plants of Mississippi go to the East Central Mississippi Native Plant Society Web site East Central MS Native Plant Society Web Page

This site also has information on Rain Gardens and includes an information fact sheet.

Rain Garden Fact Sheet

Our Mission

To facilitate achievement of an environmentally sustainable, healthy and dynamic economy through creative leadership and proactive partnerships that value the use and protection of our natural resources and human capabilities for the benefit of present and future generations.

Our Primary Goals are:

•   Assist local governments to balance shifting populations and changing economics while protecting environmental resources;

•  Establish methods and means that diversify a natural resource based economy to help sustain the quality and economic viability (timberland uses and management, alternative farmland uses and products, and eco-tourism) that relies heavily on the promotion and protection of natural areas;

•  Foster the development of comprehensive conservation planning, development and use of best-management practices (BMPs) to address growth needs and protect air, water quality and water quantity.

•  Promote the use of natural resources inventories that help identify areas requiring protection and areas suitable for economic growth.

Some of Our Current Initiatives:

•    Establish a Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC) Pilot program in Mississippi

•   Statewide Nature Based Tourism

•   Establish a Forest Legacy Program for Mississippi

•  Support for the Heritage Woodland Restoration Project's "Go Native" Campaign

•   Statewide Birding Trail, Strawberry Plains Audubon Center

•  Conservation and environmental education resources for schools

•   Community Based Sustainable Growth Projects

• Continued Support of Take Pride in Mississippi/America program
•   Trail development in Holly Springs & Tombigbee National Forests and trails intersecting the Natchez Trace Parkway

Contact Information

For more information on NRI and/or to participate in the NRI network, please contact us at:

Natural Resources Initiative of North Mississippi (NRI)

Telephone

662-489-7049

FAX

662-489-5195

Postal address

1001 CR 102, New Albany, MS  38652

Electronic mail

General Information: naturesway@hughes.net
Customer Support:
Webmaster: naturesway@hughes.net

© Natural Resource Initiative, 2007