Editor’s note: The following story as originally published, incorrectly identified the date of the public forum. The forum will be on Wednesday. The story below has been corrected.

NATCHEZ — Genetically modified crops may be coming to a National Wildlife Refuge near you.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a series of public forums Wednesday on using genetically modified crops on wildlife refuges.

Genetically modified crops are plants with modified DNA that improve growth and resist harmful organisms. The crops have become widely used since their deregulation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the mid-1990s.The meeting will be part of the 90-day comment period before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes a determination on whether or not to use genetically modified crops on wildlife refuges. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Natchez Convention Center on Main Street.

Many wildlife refuges grow crops in partnership with local farmers to provide food for migrating waterfowl during the winter.

For example, St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Adams County grows milo, rice and soybeans, said refuge manager Bob Strader.

“The farmer harvests 80 percent, and we keep about 20 percent,” Strader said. “It’s all a part of wildlife management. When waterfowl migrate here during the winter, they need food.”

He said the crops under consideration contain bacteria that kill harmful worms. In particular, growing corn on wildlife refuges is under consideration because of large amount of energy it provides.

Though genetically modified crops are controversial, Strader said the crops require fewer pesticides and may be a good idea.

“I think using genetically modified crops may be a good idea, if they are selectively used,” he said. “But the comment period will be important to hear what other people have to say about it.”