Scientific study is a key component of the purpose and function of the Museum of Natural Science. Though the Museum's popular exhibits are one of Mississippi's leading local and tourist attractions, for more than eighty years a primary objective of the museum has been to document and research Mississippi's biological resources.
Today, much of this effort falls upon the Museum's Conservation Biology Section, which is comprised of three broad, overlapping programs: the Natural Heritage Program, Biological Collections, and Research. These programs are staffed by approximately twenty research biologists and technicians whose chief directive is to document, monitor, and conserve our state's native biodiversity.
Their work is often focused on monitoring and protecting our state's rar
e and endangered species, which may be viewed as "indicators" of environmental health. The staff also administers extensive research grants funded through both federal and state agencies, manages the Mississippi Natural Heritage Database (a computerized information bank containing over 45,000 records), and maintains growing scientific collections of more than 1,000,000 scientific plant and animal specimens.
Permits
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science acts as the state permitting authority for wildlife rehabilitation facilities, scientific collecting and handling of wildlife species, and propagation facilities for non-game species in need of management.
Click here for info on Scientific Collecting, Captive Propagation, and Wildlife Rehabilitation.
State Wildlife Action Plan
MMNS Technical Reports
We are in the process of digitizing our technical reports. Please check back for regular updates.
Please contact Aaron Holbrook at Aaron.Holbrook@mmns.ms.gov for more information about Museum Technical Reports.
Science Resource Quick Links
For those interested in learning more about conservation of the wildlife, native plants and communities of Mississippi, please see links below: {need links}
Invasive Species
Endangered Species
Mississippi Amphibian Monitoring Program (MAMP)
MMNS Technical Reports
Swallow-tailed Kite Conservation: How You Can Make A Difference
Identification and distribution of freshwater mussels in Mississippi