I am writing from a place of deep concern and heartbreak over the rapid loss of our precious forests to development, including solar farms and new businesses. Mississippi is still blessed with more forest than most states, but I am terrified that we are losing this gift far too quickly — and that what is being lost can never truly be replaced.
All of our forests are important. There is not a single stand of trees or patch of green that I value above another. They all matter. Every tree, every wild place, holds beauty, history, and life.
My concern is not just for myself, but for every bird, deer, fox, insect, and living thing that is displaced or destroyed when forests are cleared for more concrete and metal. These creatures have nowhere else to go, and we are losing not just trees, but entire worlds of life, beauty, and connection.
While I understand the economic and energy needs of our state, I am deeply worried that we are sacrificing irreplaceable woodlands and the countless creatures who call them home for short-term gain.
Our forests are more than resources — they are living ecosystems that clean our air, filter our water, provide recreation, support local economies, and shelter an astonishing diversity of wildlife. When we cut them down, we lose more than trees: we lose part of our heritage, the beauty that makes Mississippi unique, and the protection that healthy forests offer against flooding, erosion, and climate change.
I ask you to imagine Mississippi’s future without our forests and all the wonder nature offers. Is that a world you would want your children’s children to inherit—a place where they never smell spring flowers, never run barefoot through grass, never feel a gentle breeze while lying in the shade, never look up at the clouds and listen to the birds sing? Would you be at peace knowing Mississippi had become only a concrete jungle, with artificial nature and no wild places left?
We cannot undo what has already been lost, but we can choose a different future. I urge you to:
• Protect our remaining forests, especially older and mature woodlands.
• Encourage solar and business development on already-cleared or degraded land instead of sacrificing more living forests.
• Invest in planting and restoring native trees and habitats.
• Involve local communities, environmental experts, and everyday people in making decisions about our shared land.
Please, Governor Reeves, use your influence to preserve what makes Mississippi truly beautiful. Let’s not trade away our wild places for short-term gain. The legacy we leave for future generations depends on the choices you make now.
Thank you for considering the future of our forests, our wildlife, and our people.
With hope and respect,
Candace Kisner
West Point
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