When passion and career intersect, you get something special. And the leadership of the Lincoln County Forestry Association recently proved that as they brought home the Mississippi Forestry Association’s County Forestry Association of the Year award.

Rebecca Bates, Lincoln County’s Extension Service director, said the chapter earned the award because of their dedication to educational programs, scholarships and workshops.

“They are very active with forest landowners,” she said. “They’re judged against quality and amount of programing.”

Not only was their chapter recognized, but the Lincoln County nominee, Freddy Wallace, was named MFA Logger of the Year.

This weekend, the LCFA will continue its dedication to the community by teaming up with the Southwest Mississippi Quality Deer Management Association from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lincoln Civic Center. The field day will have two seminars surrounding the management of wildlife for deer. The first, titled “Habitat Management for Whitetail Deer,” will be given by Tamara N. Campbell, wildlife biologist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks. The second, “How to Conduct a Camera Survey,” will be give by Kamen L. Campbell, the Southwest Regional Deer Program Biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks.

“Most forest landowners like to manage their forests for wildlife habitat,” she said. ‘The Habitat Management seminar will help them to manage more efficiently, and the Camera Survey seminar will help to monitor the number and quality of the deer on the property.”

This year, they also added a 3-D bow shoot at the Civic Center Stall Barn. There will be five divisions: 9 and under, 10 to 11, 12 to 13, 14 to 15 and 16 and older in adult. First and second prize will be given in each division, along with one overall youth winner.

“We added the bow shoot to engage the youth to be more involved in forestry and wildlife activities,” she said.

Bates asked anyone interested in attending to call her office at 601-835-3460 to reserve their spot.