Browsing: Environment

Five years have passed since the grass covered lot in Moss Point began its journey toward restoration to a mature natural wetland. To look at it now, it can appear to untrained eyes to be a mess – a tangled thicket of weeds and shrubs that, well, looks messy. Let me tell you why it is not and what it will look like as it continues its journey to a mature Bayhead Swamp that it is meant to be.

For many of us, an unhurried walk in nature is medicine for the mind and soul. Whether strolling through a local park or a nature trail, the sights and sounds can provide a respite for life’s stresses. There is always something new to discover, even on a trail or path that we have walked a hundred times.

The coastal lifestyle runs through the veins of Molly Spencer, a School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) student at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Her passion for fisheries has sparked her to create dynamic solutions for coastal communities and federal agencies, allowing her to land an internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, Mass. 

A renowned champion for environmental justice whose story inspired an award-winning film will be the presenter for the concluding program of the fall 2024 University Forum schedule at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), will soon be operating a new medium-size remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in the Gulf of Mexico. To meet the growing demand to conduct fundamental research, discovery, and inform restoration efforts on the deep seafloor and water column, NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced they will fund the design and build of two ROVs

This fall’s latest fashion trend isn’t limited to street clothing as hunters have the option to sport pink hunting vests in Mississippi woodlands in lieu of traditional orange safety gear.

A product with deep roots in Mississippi State’s turfgrass program that hit the market this past year is now taking…

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), along with researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Arizona State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have collaborated to develop a breakthrough in polymer materials that can visualize shockwaves during high-velocity impacts.

Of all the yard critters that we encounter, box turtles are favorites. They often become pets of sorts when we offer them treats, and if done regularly, they can become demanding. Stories of turtles waiting at the back door or even looking into the house “asking” for attention are not uncommon. We humans are trainable that way. Cute names are often assigned.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently worked alongside the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to complete a crucial phase of a collaboration project to investigate methods for optimizing oyster habitat restoration in the Mississippi Sound.

Of our common backyard birds, Northern Cardinals stand out and are likely the very first bird we recognized as a child. According to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, male cardinals are perhaps most responsible for getting folks to begin to want to learn more about birds. But what do we really know about this iconic bird?  

Alas. Fall is whispering to us, letting us know that it has arrived. Some of us thought the weather was cooling down a bit, but in truly, early autumn, Mississippi nature, the coolness was temporary — only set aside for mornings and evenings.

Our back porch is home to more love bugs than a dairy barn is to flies.

To watch a flock of Brown Pelicans fly in formation is mesmerizing. They line up behind one another, often in V-shaped formations behind a lead bird.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host the 18th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) 2024 showing on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Miss. Doors open at 2 p.m. The viewing showcases spectacular fly fishing films from across the globe with an aim to support conservation efforts and community support. 

A ride beside the artificial beaches along Highway 90 in coastal Mississippi provides a great view of the Mississippi Sound, but is often framed with what has become an extensive system of sand dunes, dressed in the ultimate dune plant – Sea Oats. Everything about this plant is designed to live in what is a harsh environment of sand and wind.