South Central

NWF’s South Central Regional Center encompasses 12 states along the Gulf Coast and stretches into the Midwest. Priority programs focus on protecting and restoring healthy rivers and estuaries, conserving wetlands, protecting wildlife habitats, and connecting people with the natural world.

An alligtor (very dark green with thick, scaly skin and a long tail) slithers into riverbank vegetation.

Florida State Parks Under Threat

If you surveyed Floridians, the majority of them would likely agree that one of the best things about Florida is our state parks. We love our parks in Florida, and … Read more

A boardwalk can be seen in a lush, green forest.

Turtle Cove: Carbon Management Community Engagement in Louisiana

The Lake Maurepas monitoring project Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) manages the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station on Lake Maurepas, which lies directly west of Lake Pontchartrain and is known for … Read more

A view of Tampa Bay from the water.

Tampa Bay at a Crossroads

Over the course of my life-time, Tampa Bay—the largest open water estuary in Florida—has gone from neglected and polluted to revived, revered and healed. For decades, elected leaders, government agencies, … Read more

Several monarch butterflies perch on a tree branch.

El Misterio de las Monarcas en el Sur de Texas

En el corazón del sur profundo de Texas, a lo largo del poderoso Río Bravo y cerca de las costas arenosas de South Padre Island, se encuentra la región conocida … Read more

A large, silver-gray what can be seen in the water from above.

Addressing the Whale in the Room: Offshore Wind Development & Rice’s Whales

Offshore wind energy development is making waves in the Gulf of Mexico with a second auction proposed in 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The five-year offshore … Read more

Wide view of a blue sky overlooking a shore where there are dozens of waterbirds flying around and perched.

Queen Bess Island: Restoration Success After Oil Spill Impact

Today, just a short boat ride from Grand Isle, Louisiana, a small island on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico is bustling with activity. Not with sunbathers, but with … Read more

Wide view of a lush, green forest.

Why is Carbon Management Relevant to Louisiana?

Carbon management, an umbrella term that refers to a suite of technologies and practices, is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before they enter the atmosphere or removing … Read more

View of some sort of power plant located very close to a residential neighborhood.

Carbon Management Community Concerns in Louisiana

Carbon management is supported by corporations and the state government in Louisiana for its potential to reduce emissions and support the industrial economy. Yet, despite the potential for Louisiana to … Read more

A gray water fowl with a white and yellow-ish bill floats on the water's surface.

Improving LA’s Offshore Wind

Offshore wind energy presents an exciting opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the most serious impacts of climate change. The Biden Administration has made it clear that offshore … Read more

A slender white bird flies over wetlands.

Follow the Water: Natural Solutions for Wildlife and People Along the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River touches 10 states along its 2,300-mile-long path and drains an area encompassing all or parts of 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Nearly 20 million people rely … Read more