Meet Avery Rollins, MMNSF Board Member
June 6, 2025
Avery Rollins is a sixth generation Mississippian and is from Pike County, MS. He is a life member of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) Foundation and has served as a board member for 20 years.
Avery spent his early life on the family farm on the Bogue Chitto River which he still maintains near McComb. In 1965 he after receiving his law degree from the University of Mississippi, he joined the FBI as a Special Agent. As an FBI Agent he served in Connecticut, California, New York City, and Washington, D. C. He returned to Mississippi in 1975 where he served until retirement as a Supervisory Special Agent. In 1997, he received the FBI Shield of Bravery for his leadership in resolving a kidnapping/hostage situation in Jackson.
In retirement, he and Jackie, his wife of 58 years, enjoy an active outdoor life that includes camping, hiking, white water canoeing, and international travel to Central and South America; Southeast Asia; Europe and Africa. In 1999, they backpacked through Central America for six weeks. They are also involved in tree farming. They have three children and four grandchildren in North Carolina and Africa.
Avery’s experience living in large cities and travel in Third World Countries sharpened his resolve to become involved in Mississippi environmental issues, always working to preserve our natural resources. Environmental issues which he has addressed include the dredging of the Big Sunflower River; the Yazoo Pumps project; and the Two Lakes Project. He did this through his involvement with various national and state environmental organizations including the National Wildlife Federation and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation.
Avery feels a particular need to protect Mississippi’s environment, particularly the bottom land woodlands adjacent to the MMNS and LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. He is actively involved in protecting these “thin places.”