Browsing: Environment

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.

There is something fishy going on in Moss Point, and it spreading across the country.

The Moss Point College and Career Technical Education Center Aquaculture Program is making waves that are affecting not only the fish it grows but also the booming AI developments that are overtaking the world. Aquaculture Instructor Misti Stelljes and three students will present their FishGuard AI technology in Washington, D.C. as a finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.

I am so excited! 

We put up our hummingbird feeder this week, after we read reports of several hummingbird sightings in North Mississippi. Honestly, there are not many things on earth that are quite as amazing as a tiny hummingbird. So, I can hardly wait to see the first one that visits our new little farmhouse here in Blue Springs, Mississippi. It will be a treasured memory for my husband and me.

For those of you that are open to eating wild plants, you might want to check out a few tasty greens in your yard before you crank up that mower. Unless you have one of those highly managed lawns, free of pesky weeds, many of our common yard plants are edible. And spring is a great time to try some out. I have written about a couple of my favorites before, but as I am seeing many pop up this spring, this is a good time to promote a few.

What living thing in Mississippi is 540 years old, survived hurricanes Camille and Katrina, lived during the arrival of the French Explorer Sieur D’Iberville along with all wars on domestic soil and is still providing shade and beauty to all who walk nearby? Of course, it is a tree, but not just any tree. 

My friend Bob Brzuszek has done it! He has gotten the city of Starkville to not mow in March, to give pollinators a great start in early spring and highlight the diversity of native wildflowers that feed them. The city’s Go Wild initiative encourages homeowners to do the same and take the time to look for and learn about wildflowers and their pollinators (https://www.cityofstarkville.org/680/7316/Highlights).

While white sandy beaches and water as far as they eye can see are the first thoughts of visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as Shrek may say, the Gulf Coast is like an onion and it has many layers. To truly understand its beauty and importance, peel back the layers and discover what is behind the curtain of white sand and water.

Of the many types of wetlands in our landscape, Bayhead Swamps are nearest to us, often part of our backyards and neighborhoods. And yet, they are often recognized only as those “wet” and “muddy” domains where our children like to roam. And why not! Any child playing outdoors loves a mud puddle or ditch to explore. But let me share why these wet spots are a gift to us.

Mississippi State University faculty, staff and students planted trees today [Feb. 13] at Partnership Middle School for the second consecutive year, highlighting the role of hardwood species in landscapes and community spaces.