Ryan Fikes

Ryan Fikes is a trained biologist with expertise in coastal ecology and habitat restoration, and serves as Staff Scientist for NWF's Gulf Restoration Campaign. In this role, he provides in-house scientific expertise to identify and evaluate restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico that are scientifically sound, integrate with other projects, and have measurable milestones and outcomes. In addition, he advises the campaign on issues associated with the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill on habitats and wildlife, assists in evaluating the merits of state and national Gulf restoration plans, and helps to prioritize various restoration projects.

Restoring the Gulf by Protecting the Coast

The recent addition of 470 acres to Alabama’s Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a perfect example of how Deepwater Horizon restoration dollars can make a difference for wildlife. Read more

Gulf Oysters: A National Treasure, Providing Natural Defenses

When people on the Gulf coast think of an oyster, what immediately comes to mind are the big, juicy blobs on the half-shell. But oysters are not just a delicious … Read more

Making a Difference for the Gulf of Mexico

The National Wildlife Federation recently released a new interactive, online report – Making the Most of Restoration: Priorities for a Recovering Gulf. This report stresses the importance of restoring the Gulf’s … Read more

Progress Towards Restoring the Gulf for Wildlife

Now that BP and the other oil companies have settled with the states and the federal government, there is roughly $16 billion dollars available for restoration. But even this enormous sum … Read more

$80 Million Announced for Gulf Restoration Projects

The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has recently announced a third round of projects funded by BP and Transocean’s 2012 criminal settlement. To date, nearly $480 million from this fund has been designated … Read more

What We Know Now About the BP Oil Disaster

It’s been more than five years since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Since that time, a council of federal and state Trustees have been extensively investigating the impacts of … Read more

$1.2 Billion Will Support Gulf Science Programs

In the early days of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, it became apparent that there was a lack of base scientific understanding of the Gulf ecosystem, and how the oil might … Read more

10 Things BP’s New Report Doesn’t Tell You

BP has just released a new report on the state of the Gulf, called Gulf of Mexico: Environmental Recovery and Restoration. The glossy report is filled with footnotes and citations, … Read more

Great Blue Heron in Florida

5 Steps Toward Restoring the Gulf of Mexico

Nearly five years ago, BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, setting off a catastrophe that killed 11 men and sent more than four million barrels of oil deep into the … Read more

A $100M Step Toward Restoring the Gulf

The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced a second round of Gulf restoration projects, totaling $99.2 million. A total of 25 projects across the Gulf will seek to restore … Read more

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