News

Registration open for GOMA mid-year meetings

Mark your calendars for four GOMA mid-year meetings coming soon.

The Marine Debris Cross-Team hybrid mid-year meeting will be Jan. 10-11, both virtually and at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Education and Engagement Team mid-year meeting will be Jan. 20-21 at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana.

The Data and Monitoring Team will hold a virtual mid-year meeting Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

And, the Wildlife and Fisheries Team is also planning to have a virtual mid-year meeting Feb. 8 and 15.

Not on a team? Join online.

Seagrass Community of Practice brings together experts from around the Gulf

The Gulf of Mexico Seagrass Community of Practice hosted a hybrid meeting earlier this month to take a "deep dive" into seagrass monitoring projects and programs in the Gulf of Mexico. Experts from across the region discussed seagrass sampling, mapping, research needs, and more. Next, input from this workshop will be used to develop recommendations for a common monitoring framework. A full workshop report will be available early next year. If you are doing seagrass work and would like to be involved, contact handleyl@cnlworld.org.

Gulf Star Program funds marsh planting in coastal Texas

Our Integrated Planning Cross-team recently supported work by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to plant over 15 acres of marsh grass at the Texas Mid-coast Refuge Complex near Brazoria, TX. Volunteers planted over 30,000 smooth cordgrass plants in an effort to reduce erosion and improve resilience. The work was part of a collaborative effort between Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA) to plant over 33 acres of marsh total.

This project was funded by CITGO through our Gulf Star Program.

Ocean Guardian School coming to Port Arthur, TX

We are excited to announce a new Education & Engagement Team project to fund a NOAA Ocean Guardian School located in Port Arthur, Texas. Ocean Guardian Schools carry out school- and community-based stewardship projects that make a difference in the health and protection of their local watersheds. Learn more.

This project was funded by Valero through our Gulf Star Program.

Video by NOAA Sanctuaries.

Nature-based tourism video now available

Check out and share our new video highlighting nature-based tourism along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This Gulf Star project was completed by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area and Mississippi State University Television Center. Several videos are available for use as public service announcements and on social media.

View more videos.

Tool of the Month

Blue Value

The Blue Value tool shares the latest science and information on ecosystem services so that scientists, managers, and others can quickly find information on ways the environment benefits people. This tool is a project of the Socio-Economics Group at HRI. Learn more.

Check Out This Tool

Partner News

Alabama Gov. Ivey announces $47 million in NFWF projects

Projects were selected for funding after extensive consultation with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and federal resource agencies. Learn more.

Florida restoration project ideas being accepted

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group is seeking project ideas for restoration in Florida. Deadline is Dec. 22, 2022. Learn more.

BOEM designates two wind energy areas in Gulf

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently announced two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico with the potential to power nearly 3 million homes. Learn more.

NOAA Gulf B-WET funding opportunity

The NOAA Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program funding will develop and promote Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences by supporting student investigation of environmental topics, as well as professional development for teachers. These projects support the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's priority issues. Application deadline is Jan. 27, 2023. Learn more.

Looking for a 2023 calendar?

The 2023 NOAA Marine Debris Calendar is available for download. Want to be in the 2024 calendar? Submissions are being accepted through Dec. 16, 2022. Learn more.

USFWS updates Southeast Conservation Blueprint and Explorer tool

USFWS recently completed updates to the Southeast Conservation Blueprint, with information on natural and cultural resources across 15 states, and the Blueprint Explorer which is a “Google Maps” style interface that allows users to quickly view information. Learn more.