The slogan on specialty license plates 'First in Forestry' is more than words to MSU's department of forestry. This tradition of excellence has been practiced in the department for over 50 years.

The department educates future natural resource professionals; provides learning opportunities for landowners, foresters, and loggers; and conducts research to advance forest science.

However, the department needs help from the state's forest community to prepare for the future and train students for the changing work force.

"Forestry is currently undergoing profound changes at a rapid pace," said Jim Shepard, head of the department. "In order to position ourselves for the future, we need input from stakeholders across the state.”

A series of three meetings will be held across the state to solicit ideas from the forestry community, which includes landowners, foresters, loggers, natural resources professionals, public agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.

"Our objective is to know which of our activities the forestry community considers most valuable and generate ideas on how to improve and create new activities to promote Mississippi forestry,” Shepard said.

The meetings will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with lunch provided. The meetings will be held at the following locations:

• Thursday, October 5 - MSU Central Research and Extension Center, Raymond
• Wednesday, October 18 - Forrest County Extension Office, Hattiesburg
• Thursday, October 19 - Bost Extension Center, MSU campus

Attendees will receive four Continuing Forestry Education credit hours, Category 5, or four Continuing Logger Education credit hours, Category 1.

Individuals interested in attending a meeting are asked to contact Brenda Grebner at 662-325-2949 or by e-mail at bgrebner@cfr.msstate.edu by October 2. For more information, contact Jim Shepard at 662-325-2781 or by e-mail at jshepard@cfr.msstate.edu.