Bienville National Forest

Bienville National Forest
Map of Bienville National Forest
Map showing the location of Bienville National Forest
Map showing the location of Bienville National Forest
LocationMississippi, United States
Nearest cityJackson, MS
Coordinates32°17′38″N 89°30′11″W / 32.294°N 89.503°W / 32.294; -89.503
Area178,541 acres (722.53 km2)[1]
EstablishedJune 15, 1936[2]
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
WebsiteBienville National Forest

Bienville National Forest is a United States National Forest in central Mississippi, named for Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. It lies in parts of Scott, Smith, Jasper, and Newton counties and has an area of 178,541 acres (72,253 ha). The forest is headquartered in Jackson, as well as all six National Forests in Mississippi,[3] with local ranger district offices located in Forest, Mississippi.

The forest lies within the Southeastern mixed forests ecoregion and supports mixed forests of pine and oak.[4]

The upper courses of the Leaf and Strong Rivers flow through the forest. Recreational opportunities include camping, hiking, boating and fishing for species such as Bass, Bream, and Crappie, on Marathon Lake and Shongelo Lake.

There are three Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) within Bienville National Forest: Bienville WMA;[5] Tallahalla WMA;[6] and Caney Creek WMA.[7] Each of these areas feature wildlife such as white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. Recent years have seen an influx of invasive wild pigs.

Two National Natural Landmarks are located in Bienville National Forest. The Harrell Prairie Botanical Area is one of the last remaining examples of Jackson Prairie in Mississippi. The Bienville Pines Scenic Area contains one of the largest old-growth stands of loblolly pine in the region. Both areas were designated National Natural Landmarks in 1976.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. January 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  2. ^ "The National Forests of the United States" (PDF). Forest History Society. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  3. ^ "National Forests in Mississippi - National Forest Foundation". www.nationalforests.org. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  4. ^ Olson, D. M.; E. Dinerstein; et al. (2001). "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth". BioScience. 51 (11): 933–938. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011.
  5. ^ "MDWFP - Bienville". www.mdwfp.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  6. ^ "MDWFP - Tallahala". www.mdwfp.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  7. ^ "MDWFP - Caney Creek". www.mdwfp.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  8. ^ "Bienville Pines Scenic Area". nps.gov. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
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