South Central Regional Center

Study: Dolphins In Oiled Areas of Gulf “Very Sick”

A new peer-reviewed study makes the strongest case to date that the oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster is harming dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. As part of the … Read more

Bioenergy and Biodiversity in the Southeast: Like Speeding in a Crowded Neighborhood?

The street to my house goes through a school zone and our neighborhood is full of kids. I have a school-aged daughter myself. I pride myself on being a safe driver. … Read more

Post Thanksgiving: I’m Still Thankful, Especially for Florida

It has become a Fischer family tradition to spend Thanksgiving holiday in Daytona, Florida—I’m not too sure what palm trees and the beach have to do with turkey day, but … Read more

Artificial Reefs: Restoration Beyond Recreation?

Over the past few decades the five Gulf States have built artificial reefs both inshore and offshore with the aim of enhancing recreational fishing and diving opportunities. State and local … Read more

A Great Start for Gulf Restoration

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has announced funding for 22 restoration projects in all five Gulf States. The more than $100 million comes from BP and Transocean’s criminal plea agreements … Read more

Toxic Algae: Florida’s Manatees in Crisis

While “red tide” may sound like a biblical catastrophe, it is simply an unusual bloom of a common alga—karenia brevis—that turns saltwater a rust color.  While not supernatural this algae … Read more

Beach Whale

Is the Oil Spill Affecting the Gulf’s Sperm Whales?

A sick and severely emaciated adolescent female sperm whale was found beached on the Florida coast near Tampa on Halloween. After the necropsy, officials said there were indications of an infection … Read more

Discovery Hill—A Schoolyard Habitat Proof of Concept

On the way back to school one girl in my class said, “What fun…I love that place” and another said “I wish we could go everyday” and a boy remarked, … Read more

3 Million Pounds: The Hidden Legacy of the BP Oil Spill

Remember that time when your parents asked you to clean your room, and you shoved everything under the bed? I think we’ve all been there. As soon as the toys … Read more

Will BP’s Fines Help Dolphins in the Gulf?

Bottlenose dolphins are dying in unprecedented numbers in the region affected by the BP oil disaster in the Gulf  of Mexico. Dolphins in the most heavily oiled areas are suffering … Read more