The Mississippi Sound Estuary Program (MSEP) recently held its introductory meeting with tremendous community support (over 200 attendees!). MSEP is a non-regulatory program that will work closely with local organizations and community leaders to increase awareness and participation in the conservation and restoration of Mississippi Sound and its contributing watersheds.
The mission of MSEP is to facilitate community-driven conservation, restoration and stewardship of Mississippi Sound.
To help kickstart achieving that mission, we are forming advisory committees. Currently, we are seeking members for our science, civil and engagement committees. Full descriptions of the committees and the application form can be found here. Please submit an application if you are interested!
We are also gathering community input to help inform some of the first activities of MSEP. To provide initial input, please complete this short three-question survey. One of the first action items already identified for MSEP to address is a survey of conservation, restoration and research projects occurring within Mississippi Sound and connected watersheds.
The intent for this inventory is to not only increase awareness and coordination among projects, but also to identify lessons-learned from these projects. If you have any you would like to contribute, please complete this form linked.
Finally, the best way to follow along with MSEP is through our website and social media accounts. A list of those can be found below. Please check them out and follow us!
If you would like more information, please visit the MSEP website or contact me, the director of coastal and marine extension with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, coastal ecology specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, and director of the Mississippi Sound Estuary Program.
Initial startup funds for MSEP was paid for [in part] with federal funding from the RESTORE Council and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act).
Meet the author
Eric Sparks, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Outreach and Coastal Ecology Specialist
Eric is the assistant director for outreach and a coastal ecology specialist. His work focuses on estuarine and wetland issues, and his specialty areas include coastal conservation and... Read more
Phone: 228-546-1025
Email: [email protected]