Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2025

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
TAKE A
WaL K
ON THE WiLd
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
story by John N. Felsher photos courtesy of Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
As temperatures begin to warm, people might want to head outdoors to experience the awakening of nature in the spring after a tough winter that even saw snow in Mississippi.
A great place to experience nature and see wildlife,
the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge covers approximately 20,000 acres of Jackson County near Gautier. Established in 1975 as home for the rare Mississippi subspecies of sandhill crane, the refuge protects and restores the last remaining wet pine savanna habitat in the nation. The waterlogged soil grows a variety of plant species among scattered pine trees.
“This wet pine savanna is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the United States with more than 30 plants found in just
a square meter of land,” says Jeremy Edwardson, a refuge spokesman. “It provides habitat for many species, including
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various grassland birds, carnivorous plants and dusky gopher frogs.”
Wet pine savanna habitat also provides ideal conditions for the cranes as well as many other species native to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 1975, only about 30 to 35 cranes populated the refuge. Since then, the population swelled to about 200.
“This refuge is a premier destination for birdwatching,” Edwardson says. “It offers the unique opportunity to see Mississippi sandhill cranes and other rare species. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to explore interactive exhibits, watch our 12-minute film and chat with our knowledgeable staff and volunteers who can provide maps, brochures and checklists.”
Tall birds with spears for faces, cranes look similar to blue www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living