13-94-MMS| September 16, 2013
MOSS POINT, Miss. – In honor of National Estuaries Day, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources’ Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosting a special Seaside with a Scientist adventure on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. until noon.
The event is free, and visitors will travel by boat through an estuary to several habitats and observe firsthand how the reserve’s scientists conduct their research in the field. Scientists will be stationed on the boat, in the water, in the marsh and on land to demonstrate their sampling techniques. Participants also will learn how they can use the information that the scientists collect to help protect our estuaries and other coastal habitats.
Those who want to participate are encouraged to pre-register because space is limited. Please call the reserve at 228-475-7047 or email the education coordinator at jen.buchanan@dmr.ms.gov to reserve your spot today. Everyone on this adventure will be required to wear a lifejacket. We have a large number of adult lifejackets but parents are encouraged to bring lifejackets for their children. Please wear closed-toed shoes—no flip-flops. Check out our website, www.grandbaynerr.org, for directions to the site.
National Estuaries Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday in September. To learn more about what you can do to celebrate National Estuaries Day check out this website: http://estuaries.noaa.gov/GetInvolved/Default.aspx?ID=153
The Grand Bay NERR is located in southeast Jackson County and includes wetlands and waterways from Bang’s Lake to the Alabama state line. The 18,000-acre reserve is home to several rare or endangered plant and animal species and serves as an essential nursery habitat for numerous important commercial and recreational fish species. The Reserve is managed through state-federal partnership between the DMR and its local partners—Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi State University and the Nature Conservancy—and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Contact: Lauren Thompson
Phone: (228) 523-4053
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