GCRL Joins Coastal Nature Destinations Group
The Coastal Nature Destinations Group (CNDG) is a new partnership of nature-oriented nonprofits and government entities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Their mission is to encourage residents and visitors to visit natural coastal destinations, explore the amazing lands and waters in our own backyard, and learn something while having fun.
The founding members are in Jackson County, but membership will be opened to other organizations along the coast.
- Pascagoula River Audubon Center
- Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
- Grand Bay National Estaurine Research Reserve (NERR)
- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Marine Education Center
- Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
- Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain
The CNDG is conducting a series of Media Tours and Briefings to begin telling this story to the public:
- Coastal Mississippi has some of the most diverse, pristine, and productive natural environments in the world.
- Coastal Mississippi has a stellar array of nonprofit organizations and government entities that care for these environments and sponsor high quality outdoor adventures and learning opportunities for the public. These opportunities are free or low-cost and open to all.
Media Events
Members of the media are invited to participate in a series of tours and briefings.
- Tuesday, March 26 - Boats and Bayous
8:30 – 12:00 noon
The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and the Gulf Islands National Seashore will sponsor a tour of the Mississippi Sound and Davis Bayou aboard the M/V Miss Peetsy B (donated by Jimmy Buffet and his sisters). Participants will set a trawl and investigate the catch. Afterwards, a naturalist will conduct a tour of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Tuesday, April 23 - Birds and Barbecue
8:30 – 12:00 noon
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge and the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain will provide an introduction to the pine savannah and the Fort Bayou Blueway. Learn how biologists are restoring the habitat of the endangered Sandhill Crane, and how prescribed fires are managed. Take a short kayak trip on the Fort Bayou Blueway from The Shed barbecue restaurant. Enjoy a barbecue lunch with us. - Tuesday, May 21 - Big River and Grand Bay
8:30 – 12:00 noon
The Pascagoula River Audubon Society and the Grand Bay NERR will lead a pontoon boat tour of the Pascagoula River, the largest untamed river in the lower 48 states. The biologists at Grand Bay NERR will lead a tour along the estuary. Participants will visit an ancient midden left by Native Americans, and conduct a scientific experiment.
Participants are asked to provide their own transportation to the first site of the day. Transportation will be provided to additional sites and back to vehicles.
More Information
For more information and to sign up for a media tour, contact Julia Weaver, GCRL Special Projects, at 228.219.2279 or Julia.Weaver@usm.edu.