Gulf Coast

A black, white, and gray bird perches on a tree branch.

A Quest for the Elusive and the Common: Birding in Wild Florida

Birding is indeed a fascinating endeavor. One can simply observe birds in their backyard… or they can search to the ends of the Earth. Birders can range from almost deity-like … Read more

The Gulf, Grandparents, and Generational Bonds Woven In Nature

The older we get, the more our thoughts turn to family, tradition, and legacy. My oldest granddaughter turned four recently, and my younger granddaughter turned three. I am deeply and … Read more

Large pink bird mid-flight.

Our Plan to Restore the Gulf Coast for People and Wildlife

America’s Gulf Coast stretches over 1,700 miles and is home to 15,000 species of fish and wildlife, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. It’s also … Read more

Engaging the next generation in conservation: Florida’s Gulf Specimen Aquarium

When I was 18 years old, recently graduated from high school and moving to Tampa from my family home in Brooksville, Florida, on the southern Nature Coast, I was ready … Read more

Scenic view of water bordered by trees.

Hidden Treasures of the Nature Coast

When ancient cartographers decided to avoid exploring and mapping places that looked particularly foreboding, they simply inscribed “Here be dragons” on the blank map. I imagine, many years ago, those … Read more

In Win for Florida Community, Judge Says No Permits for Apalachicola River Basin Oil Drilling

Fifteen years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, drilling still impacts the lives of those who call the Gulf Coast home. Places like Apalachicola, Florida, unimpacted by the oil itself, … Read more

15 Years Later: Opportunities for the Future

This is the third of a three-part blog series highlighting 15 key takeaways about the Gulf’s recovery since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 15 years ago—its wildlife, restoration successes, and … Read more

Flooding and property damage can be seen along a beach area.

Hurricanes, Climate Change, and Finding the Path Forward on the Gulf Coast

I know hurricanes. As a Coast Guard kid, I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, Outer Banks and Caribbean, and my adulthood has found me always near the water I … Read more

A residential neighborhood is situated near a power plant.

Carbon Management Regulations: Louisiana Spotlight

Carbon management is expanding widely throughout the Gulf Coast, and many large projects are on the brink of development. While these projects bring economic opportunity and hold important climate considerations, … Read more

A cow stands on a riverbank.

Flora and Fauna in the Bird’s Foot Delta: Looking Forward

Growing up in Louisiana, I was always aware of water and the rivers that carry it to the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this, I did not gain an understanding of … Read more