Browsing: Environment

Storm clouds threatened and laughing gulls called as my three children and I made our way to the crowded beach where a portion was sectioned off. This was our second time attending a sea turtle release. The crowd of all ages beamed with excitement and anticipation. Up ahead, a table displayed literature, stickers, and turtle skulls. Staff from the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies were ready to educate, interact, and host this real-world science lesson.

Mississippi researchers will help lead a new $13.5 million national effort to expand U.S. seafood production, positioning the Gulf Coast at the center of aquaculture research and development.

I want to take you back to Tatiana Martin’s beautiful yard in Vicksburg this week to look indoors at her orchids to see that her passion for gardening extends beyond the landscape beds.

School is out for the summer. What to do with those kids that have nothing to do but stare at a glowing screen all day. Try to entice them outside with hands-on activities that keep their interest. Here is one of a couple I will share in the coming weeks.

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.