Browsing: Environment

Making waves in marine research is what motivates Dr. Jerry Wiggert of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) to pursue his passions. Wiggert was appointed to the Ocean Studies Board (OSB), a unit of the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. OSB explores the science, policies and infrastructure needed to understand, manage and conserve coastal and marine environments and resources.

It has been three months or so since the last of our Ruby-throated Hummingbirds flew south for the winter. A few do seem to stay with us along the northern Gulf Coast, but most of our winter hummers are western species. Ruby-throated hummers are intrepid birds that fly a long way each year between their breeding grounds across the eastern U.S. and Canada and their winter homes in Central America. 

Mississippi State University administration, faculty and students are planting 225 trees at the Partnership Middle School today [Feb. 21] in celebration of Arbor Day.

The middle of February in coastal Mississippi is early spring. OK, late winter, but that’s if you are looking backward, not forward. We deep southerners are not fond of cold. So yes, spring it is! It is also when our earliest blooming trees and shrubs begin to break their dormancy and flower – including the most dramatic of them – Swamp Red Maple, Acer rubrum.

Late winter and spring along the coastal areas of the northern Gulf can be pleasant – until the no-see-ums start to bite. Aptly named, these tiny little demons can become so numerous, they can make a sane person scream, holler, and use bad words. Of course, only the females bite – just saying.

Since operations at the refinery began in 1963, Chevron has continued to invest in its Pascagoula facility, and in Mississippi. Over the years, the refinery has evolved; it’s added facilities and upgrades to manufacture the products that supply energy to a growing world.  The refinery manufactures nearly 7 million gallons of gasoline every day and in recent years, has reduced its carbon intensity and continues to work toward lower carbon solutions. 

There are three common species of large pines that live within the so-called pine belt of the southeastern U.S. This swath of land stretches from the coast of North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, westward to eastern Texas. Of these, Longleaf historically dominated this landscape. It evolved to not only tolerate fire but depend on it. In many ways, it is also one of the most elegant.

From the comfort of our warm homes, it is easy to worry about how our feathered friends can handle cold…

OK, I may be opening a proverbial can of worms or Pandora’s Box, but I am going to do it anyway. Should be fun. Here goes. What burning questions do you have about something in or about nature that I may be able to write about? In other words, what are your Qu’est Que C’ests.

Finding the motionless, rigid body of an insect covered with odd spiky protrusions is certain to get anyone’s attention. My friend Shawn Harris had a typical reaction when he asked me about his recent observation – “What the Frankenstein is this!?! My response – “Why, that is just your typical Zombie Wasp. Cool!”

How about starting out the new year with a resolution that you may actually keep for longer than a week – and enjoy. Here goes – resolve to pause a minute each day to pay attention to nature around you. One minute, that is it! And if you think that is too short a time, try it and you will realize just how much you can see and hear in 60 seconds.

The British government has named University of Mississippi senior Christian Boudreaux as a winner of a prestigious Marshall Scholarship, making him the university’s fourth Marshall scholar ever.

Recycling a good story is a good thing, right? Well, I think so, and this story from Christmas Past is worth repeating. The theme remains, with some new twists, if you are adventurous – why mess with perfection? This challenge begins on Christmas Day. Yes, the twelve days begin on Christmas Day (when Christ was born) and end on the Epiphany in the Christmas tradition (when the Magi visited the newborn Jesus). Try to keep up!

Feeding wildlife in your yard can be pleasing and, at times, entertaining. And if you are thinking about what to get your yard critters for Christmas, consider native plants that feed them throughout the year and add value to your landscape.

Some of the more colorful and active spiders in our world are Jumping Spiders – members of the family of spiders known as Salticids. The Tan Jumping Spider is an exception, at least at first sight, if you can spot it to begin with. But why is it so shy?

Dr. Luke Pearson, an alumnus from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Mississippi biologist with the U.S. Fish and…