Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Outdoor Steward Trust Fund Accepting Applications

Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Governor Tate Reeves today announced that the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund (MOSTF) has opened a new application cycle utilizing $15 million in funding appropriated during the 2023 Legislative Session. The MOSTF Board of Trustees is now accepting grant applications through October 31, 2023.
MOSTF awarded almost $10 million in funding from the 2022 Legislative Session for 21 outdoor conservation and recreation projects across the state during its first round of awards in February 2023. This funding is now providing vital assistance to state agencies, municipalities, and non-government organizations to complete over $49.7 million in conservation and nature-based outdoor recreation projects over the next two years. Thanks to additional funding appropriated in the 2023 Legislative Session, there is an opportunity to fund even more projects that may not have been funded in the first round and to consider new proposals as well.
“I am excited about the progress made in short order by the MOSTF Board of Trustees,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “These investments will strengthen communities around Mississippi, enhance our state’s $8 billion outdoor recreation economy, and help support more than 79,000 jobs. I was proud to have signed legislation creating the Fund, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing to preserve Mississippi’s natural beauty and resources. Mississippians overwhelmingly support investing funds to improve Mississippi’s outdoor conservation and recreation efforts, and we’ll continue to do so.”
The MOSTF program seeks projects that can bring outside matching fund commitments to assist with overall project contributions. In the first round of awarded projects, matching sources committed $3.19 for every $1 funded by MOSTF. Ed Penny, Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Coalition President, says “These competitive grants, as demonstrated in the first round of projects, will include a diversity of activities that meet the goals of improving state parks and outdoor recreation trails, improving access to public waters and lands, and preserving, enhancing, and restoring our native wildlife and fish resources and their critical habitats all across Mississippi.
MOSTF Executive Director, Ricky Flynt, encourages interested entities to carefully review the qualifications for application proposals and the application scoring criteria prior to submitting any application. Flynt says, “All applications will be considered, but there is a clear direction placed in the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Act (2022) that prioritizes nature-based recreation and education, wildlife and fisheries conservation, and access to public lands and water. We want our applicants to understand the goals and priorities of the MOSTF before they commit the time and effort required to submit an application.”
Applications may only be accepted from state agencies, municipalities, and non-government organizations. Interested applicants can go to the MOSTF Website at https://www.dfa.ms.gov/most to review the Notice to Applicants and the Application Scoring Criteria. Applications must be submitted online. Applicants are required to register to create a user account. The account will allow the applicant to save their application work, upload documents, budget sheets, project plans, photos, and other supportive information prior to submission. The deadline for application submissions is October 31, 2023. Following application reviews, the MOSTF Board will score each application and projects will be ranked prior to being considered for funding. Awarded projects will be announced prior to March 1, 2024.

For more information about the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Program go to www.dfa.ms.gov/most . 

5 comments:

Socrates Green Space LLC said...

Can Chowke tear down another library and use these funds to build another inclusive green space?

Anonymous said...

Follow the money "Restoration or enhancement on privately owned working agricultural lands and forests"

Anonymous said...

There are no outdoor stewards residing in Jackson, MS

Ricky Flynt - MOSTF Exec. Dir. said...

As Exec. Dir. of the MS Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, I would like to respond to one of the above comments regarding the use of MOSTF Funds on privately-owned lands. There absolutely are circumstances in which there is public benefit of using MOSTF funding on private lands. Such as, situations where public lands are trying to manage for critical wildlife species, critical wildlife habitats, managing nuisance wildlife, or non-native invasive plants or trees and those public lands. In these cases, there are adjacent private lands to public lands that are additionally affected but those landowners do not have the funding to conduct likewise management. These MOSTF funds could potentially be used to assist private landowners in the joint efforts to manage these issues, therefore providing a public benefit by expanding the footprint of management on a larger scale. MOSTF funding will never be used on private lands unless there is a clear and obvious public benefit. I hope this information is beneficial to understanding the purpose of MOSTF funding opportunities on private lands. Ricky Flynt-MOSTF Executive Director

Anonymous said...

good job, Mr. Flynt


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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