Browsing: Environment

If you’ve ever lived in Mississippi, chances are you’ve heard one long before you’ve seen one.

Perched on a telephone wire, hidden in a crepe myrtle, or proudly standing atop a fence post, the Northern Mockingbird has a way of making itself known. With its gray feathers, white wing flashes, and seemingly endless repertoire of songs, it’s one of the most recognizable birds in the South—and it’s been Mississippi’s official state bird since 1944.

The University of Southern Mississippi is partnering in a new national effort to grow and strengthen America’s seafood supply through aquaculture research as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM), led by the University of New Hampshire (UNH).

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art will launch a free three-day film festival June 11-13 in Ocean Springs, featuring films, workshops and discussions focused on environmental storytelling. 

Identifying living things in our world has become as easy as opening up an app on your phone. But which one to use? There are so many, most focused on specific groups of organisms. But one app stands far above the rest. As a naturalist and scientist, the only app I use is iNaturalist. Let me explain why.

Poor maggots, they get no respect. Even my trusty Webster’s Dictionary includes a reference to them found usually in filth.…

If you have a garden or a few containers of vegetables each summer, chances are you plant tomatoes. They hold the distinction of being the most popular garden vegetable.

OK, so have you ever wondered about what seems like a small swarm of birds flying out from and back under the bridges you cross on your way wherever? They are not winged trolls, but one of the most abundant species of swallows that live across our globe – Barn Swallows.

What provides curb appeal, nutrition for birds and habitats for insects with the added bonus of working as a natural insect repellent?

I am always eager to learn and share new insights about Mississippi, its people, its places, and especially its abundance of natural resources. That is my absolute favorite part of writing for Our Mississippi Home! 

Lyreleaf Sage is an early spring wildflower across the southeastern U.S., often adding a splash of color in the landscapes where is thrives. Common along roadsides, open woodlands, and urban spaces, this small, yet attractive plant benefits many animals and can add value to our landscapes.

Missing the scent of production at the Omega Protein plant in Moss Point is like missing a sore tooth, but…

While honeybees are important for crops and as a food source for humans, native bees pollinate as much as 80% of many important crops and should be protected as well. Most people don’t realize that there are about 20,000 species of bees worldwide, and 90% of bees are solitary, meaning they don’t form hives or live communally. The bulk of what the general public has been taught about bees leaves out the majority of our native species, but one organization is trying to educate us properly and learn more about these buzzing creators.

MOSS POINT, Miss. (April 2026) — Families across the Mississippi Gulf Coast are invited to a free, familyfriendly Earth Day celebration at Sawmill Landing Park, bringing together community, conservation and outdoor exploration on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hosted by the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in partnership with the City of Moss Point, the festival highlights the natural beauty and ecological importance of the Pascagoula River Basin while continuing a tradition of environmental stewardship and education.

Namesakes of the greatest music legends from Mississippi have taken up residence at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport and are taking their roles as Aquarium Ambassadors very seriously. These beaver brothers, appropriately named Elvis, BB and King, enjoy entertaining guests and relaxing in the Gulf breezes. 

When children are out of school for breaks, holidays, intercession or summer, many parents struggle with finding activities for informal learning to take place that aren’t in front of a screen. That is why the University of Southern Mississippi Center for STEM Education has created “S3—Sustainable STEM by the Sea” as an affordable outlet where coastal students discover the habitat and environment in their own back yards.

Among the many species of large wasps in our world, some create beautiful nests from raw materials around them. Paper wasps and hornets scrape wood fibers from trees to create their nests. Others use soil to create earthen structures, the most recognizable being that of Organ Pipe Mud Daubers.