Students at The University of Southern Mississippi learned firsthand about career opportunities in ecotourism and its positive impact on the environment during a recent visit to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.

While on the field trip, 26 students and their instructor took a two-hour boat trip up the Pascagoula River, learned about the importance of the river basin and how people can help protect the environment for both humans and wildlife.

“Ecotourism and recreation is an important trend in the tourism industry and our students need to be educated and aware of what Mississippi has to offer in terms of ecotourism,” said tourism management instructor Evelyn Kwan Green. “As future tourism professionals, our students need to understand the importance of balancing development with good stewardship of our natural resources.”

In addition to the students majoring in tourism management, several students majoring in other degree programs, such as biology and business, also participated in the field trip. By combining the lessons learned in this tourism management course and their major, the students are more aware of possibilities in Mississippi’s tourism industry.

“The tour of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center has opened my eyes to new possibilities and career options to pursue with my biology degree,” said Paige Posey, a senior biology major from Edinburg, Miss. “I realize now that tourism is one of the greatest forces for environmentally-conscious centers to use to raise awareness of the environment which needs to be protected.”

“The staff members are genuine, intelligent and hard working people who truly care about growing nature tourism and providing visitors with an interactive and exciting learning experience.” said April Ralston, a junior majoring in tourism management. “Seeing Mississippi's native plants and animals at Pascagoula River Audubon Center allowed us to reconnect with nature while growing our local economy.”

The Pascagoula River serves as a habitat for a diverse number of plants, animals and organisms. At the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, visitors and students are given the opportunity to visit and experience one of the last free-flowing rivers in the continental U.S.

"Audubon is excited about engaging these tourism students about the value and role of nature tourism in economic development of the Mississippi Gulf Coastal region,” said Dr. Mark LaSalle, director of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. “Nature tourism has the potential to broaden the region's appeal for well-educated and affluent tourists that we want to attract to the area.”

Several students who attended the field trip returned over the weekend to conduct surveys during the center’s Nature Festival. By conducting surveys at the festival, the students were able to learn more about the local community and their views of the river system.

For more information about the Tourism Management degree program at Southern Miss Gulf Coast, please visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/business.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu/gulfcoast .