Tara Wildlife

Kristine of our Outdoor Bloggers Summit has asked each of us to write a post about a grassroots effort supported by a local hunting or fishing organization. I have chosen Tara Wildlife which is north of my hometown of Vicksburg, MS and was founded by Maggie Bryant pictured below. I have taken some information for you to read about of this fine organization that is dedicated to our wildlife habitat.



Maggie Bryant, Tara's Founder, is a past-two term Chairperson of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and retired from her board position in 2001. Maggie has been awarded the prestigious Chevron Conservation Award as well as the Governor's Award for Conservation in Mississippi. She is active in conservation measures around the world.

Tara's philosophy is founded on a strong commitment to the management, development and sustainable use of a broad spectrum of natural resources. Tara recognizes the importance of wildlife, timber, water, wetlands, agriculture and recreation in maintaining a high quality of life for current as well as future generations. To this end, Tara has endowed the future by placing all 17,200 acres under conservation easements. As a further commitment to conservation, in December of 2001 Tara was deeded to a private foundation, Purvis Grange Foundation Inc. While promoting an appreciation of the environment through educational and direct-performance activities that conserve land and protect the wildlife that inhabit it,Tara is a model center for the study of habitat and the animals that are part of the ecosystem.

Tara is located in the Eagle Lake community about 30 minutes northwest of historic Vicksburg, Mississippi and 72 miles west of Jackson. With 12 miles of Mississippi River frontage and 17,200 acres of oxbow lakes and bottomland hardwood forests, Tara is one the nation's ultimate destinations for deer, and turkey hunting. The new 5700 square foot state-of-the-art conference center is the perfect location for your corporate retreats, business meetings, team building seminars, family reunions or conservation workshops

Tara's commitment to the sustainable use and management of natural resources is what we are all about. Several weeks of Summer Youth Camps are scheduled annually to educate children in outdoor skills and the appreciation of our natural resources.

We invite all hunters, companies, families and youth to visit and experience this unique place we call Tara!

MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of Purvis Grange Foundation, Inc. dba Tara Wildlife is to manage its natural resources in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner while promoting conservation awareness and the wise use of those natural resources within a framework of both consumptive and non-consumptive opportunities.

CONSERVATION:

Through its partnerships with numerous conservation groups, Tara is active in black bear restoration, management of neotropical bird habitat, protection of nesting bald eagles, Mississippi River ecosystem issues, wildlife and wetlands habitat management and the preservation and restoration of bottomland hardwood resources.

CONSULTING SERVICES:

Tara's long standing experience with conservation issues allows it's expertise to be generously shared with others who seek assistance in wildlife and habitat management.

On August 25-26, 2007, Tara will host in association with Audubon MS, the Mississippi River Nature Festival. They will have all kinds of activities such as an open bus ride through the bottomland forest along 12 miles of the MS River; spectacular gatherings of Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills and other wading birds; Tara's Backyard Native Plant Gardens which attracts hundreds of hummingbirds; exhibits by the MS Museum of Natural Science & hear renowned guest speakers and learn new skills at their outdoor photography workshops. This organization to me is making a huge impact on our community. I am proud to say I have been to Tara and hunted at Halpino a location of Tara about 18 years ago. It was quite an experience. Will write about it at a later date.