Strategic Cogongrass Control Partnership for South Mississippi

The invasive Cogongrass is having deleterious impacts on longleaf pine ecosystems in coastal Mississippi. Longleaf pine, an ecosystem in decline through most of its range, is home to a number of federally listed endangered species, such as the gopher tortoise and red-cockaded woodpecker. Cogongrass can invade and overtake disturbed ecosystems, forming a dense mat of thatch and leaves that makes it nearly impossible for other plants to coexist. Large infestations of cogongrass can also alter the normal fire regime of a fire-driven ecosystem by causing more frequent and intense fires that injure or destroy native plants. This project is spearheaded by a unique partnership that will implement an innovative, comprehensive control plan for cogongrass involving over 5,000 EQIP eligible producers in six counties in coastal Mississippi.