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Places We Protect

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

Mississippi

A gopher tortoise hatchling
Gopher Tortoise Hatchling Camp Shelby has a gopher tortoise nursery. © Rebecca Stowe/The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Camp Shelby since 2000 to protect habitat and species of concern.

A large tortoise moves across a dirt path.
Gopher Tortoise A gopher tortoise navigates its way along the forest floor. © Karine Aigner

Wildlife

Plants

Camp Shelby is within the longleaf pine historic range, which currently covers only three percent across the southeastern U.S. 

More than 80 rare plant species occur at Camp Shelby, which is also home to several state champion trees: slash pine, sweetbay magnolia and redbay. The location is also home to over 20 species of orchids and more than five species of magnolia. Louisiana quillwort, a plant species listed as endangered, is found along small streams. Other common plants include:

  • Dwarf huckleberry, Elliott's blueberry
  • Grasses such as bluestem, toothache grass, Pineywoods dropseed
  • Sunflowers, black-eyed susans, goldenrod and wild daisys
  • Legumes such as butterfly pea, partridge pea, goat's rue and ticktrefoil
  • Gopher apple
  • Wild petunias, St. John's wort

Animals

Gopher tortoises, a federally threatened species, dig burrows used by over 300 types of animals. The black pinesnake has been found in only 14 southern counties. Other animal species of interest include:

  • Camp Shelby burrowing crayfish (found only at this site and protected by a Candidate Conservation Agreement)
  • Arogos skipper
  • Mobile crayfish
  • Ornate chorus frog
  • Red salamander
  • Mole kingsnake
  • Gulf crayfish snake
  • Eastern coral snake
  • Eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake
  • Cooper's hawk
  • Bachman's sparrow
  • Henslow's sparrow
  • Southeastern kestrel
  • Rafineque's big-eared bat

More common residents of Camp Shelby include bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, black racers and coyotes.

A group of military personnel and civilians pose for a picture.
Camp Shelby The Mississippi National Guard's Environmental Team was recognized for excellence and exceptional leadership in natural resource conservation. © Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

Partners

TNC staff members work closely with the Mississippi Army National Guard, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi Natural Heritage Program, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks as well as, local and regional universities.

Contact Melinda Lyman, project coordinator/botanist for more information on TNC's work at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center.

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