MASGC enhances restoration professionals’ access to sea-level rise science, enhances restoration
Relevance:
As sea-level rise science improves, updated projections of sea-level rise are released, which can cause confusion among stakeholders trying to understand which projections to use in planning. Further, projections are released by international, national and regional organizations with differing projections, timelines and carbon scenarios, generating additional confusion among stakeholders. Restoration professionals in the northern Gulf were unsure which suite of projections to use and to which specific scenario the breakwater should be built.
Response:
The Northern Gulf of Mexico Sentinel Site Cooperative coordinator, who is supported by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, collaborated with Gulf restoration professionals, helping them access and understand a newly developed suite of resources providing recently released localized sea-level rise projections and exceedance probabilities.
Results:
The restoration professionals understood that building breakwaters for the restoration to reflect the intermediate sea-level rise scenario instead of the intermediate-low sea-level rise scenario would reduce the chance of mean sea level overtopping their breakwaters by 79%. This prompted a cost analysis, and they found that it was within the scope of the budget to build the higher, more resilient breakwaters.
Recap:
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant outreach professionals engaged Gulf restoration professionals, which allowed them to understand the likelihoods of different localized sea-level rise scenarios causing them to build higher, more resilient breakwaters. (2018)
Multiple audiences seek out Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Science Outreach Team as trusted partner
Relevance:
When the Sea Grant oil spill science outreach program formed in 2014, the team identified target audiences that the Deepwater Horizon directly impacted or that used or shared oil spill science. Some audiences within the federal government had existing Sea Grant ties, while others, such as members of the oil spill response sector, were unfamiliar with Sea Grant extension efforts.
Response:
The oil spill outreach team focused its efforts on becoming a trusted resource for those who work in oil spill response in both the public and private sectors. By sharing unbiased, peer-reviewed oil spill science; extending invitations to oil spill response professionals to contribute as publication reviewers and seminar presenters; joining NOAA/Coast Guard Regional Response Team events; and attending conferences oil spill responders frequent, the team has become a valued part of the network.
Results:
Multiple audiences now view team members as trusted brokers of information. Both a government librarian and an international oil company shared team publications. Team members joined a mix of public and private parties at invitation-only response product tests at a national testing facility and two regional “spill drill” exercises. When news of a marine oil leak made headlines, a government official contacted the team to consult regarding next steps.
Recap:
The Sea Grant Oil Spill Science Outreach Team connected with target audiences, became a trusted information resource for stakeholders in multiple sectors and was awarded a “seat at the table” at key events. (2018)
MASGC increases access to data sources, improves sea-level data application
Relevance:
Understanding elevation of coastal habitat and sea level is critical to understanding sea-level rise impacts. Access to baseline water level and habitat elevation data and tracking trends in the system over time provides insight for managing natural environments. However, a variety of owners manage these observing installations, making it difficult to gain a holistic understanding of current data coverage and any critical gaps.
Response:
The Northern Gulf of Mexico Sentinel Site Cooperative (a Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported program) inventoried Surface Elevation Tables (SETs) and Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) across the Gulf and conducted a gap analysis of SET locations. Stakeholders were integrated throughout both efforts, resulting in a geospatial analysis highlighting areas to efficiently address gaps in SET coverage; an understanding of existing CORS, regardless of operator; a report identifying gaps and opportunities between CORS and tide stations; and online access to developed materials.
Results:
The SET inventory was downloaded 20 times, included in five public data galleries and bookmarked by two users. The gap analysis has been used to validate use of funding and resources. The CORS inventory and analysis was to save time and effort, increasing ability to focus on other more critical things. More than six partners used the CORS inventory to understand the available information, enhance networks and improve data access.
Recap:
Inventories and gap analyses of sea-level rise observing infrastructure improved comprehensive access to data critical for describing and understanding sea-level rise in the Gulf of Mexico. (2018)
Oyster gardening volunteers grow oysters to restore 6.14 acres of habitat
Relevance:
Wild oyster populations are in decline. Education and restoration efforts are needed to reverse the trend. Oyster gardening provides both.
Response:
Oyster gardening efforts facilitate hands-on, experiential educational opportunities for coastal residents from school age through retiree, specifically focused on the ecological and economic role of oysters and oyster reefs in the local estuarine environment.
Results:
In 2018, volunteers at 118 sites grew 123,271 stocker-sized oysters in cages off piers. The oysters were sufficient to restore 6.14 acres with an economic value of $118,969.19 and generating a program ROI of 4.71:1.
Recap:
Oyster gardening programs in Alabama and Mississippi produced 123,271 advanced stocker oysters at 118 sites with a restoration potential of 6.14 acres and an economic restorative value of $118,969.19, generating a program-wide ROI of 4.71:1 (471%). (2018)
MASGC-trained Mississippi Master Naturalists provide 4,887 volunteer hours, improve 3,397 acres
Relevance:
Lack of environmental knowledge often promotes poor stewardship of natural resources. Additionally, many environmentally conscious individuals are eager to provide volunteer service, but these opportunities are often difficult to find.
Response:
The Mississippi Master Naturalist Program was formed with the mission of developing an organization of knowledgeable volunteers to help promote conservation and management of Mississippi’s natural resources through education, outreach and service within their communities.
Results:
In 2018, the Mississippi Master Naturalist Program held two training courses, which led to the certification of 32 new Master Naturalists. These participants’ environmental knowledge improved an average of 14%. Program participants documented 4,887 volunteer service hours, valued at $120,660. Through these volunteer hours, participants reached or educated more than 37,325 people and directly or indirectly improved 3,397 acres through stewardship activities.
Recap:
The Mississippi Master Naturalist Program increased awareness of environmental issues in Mississippi and Alabama, provided 4,887 volunteer service hours (valued at $120,660), educated 37,325 people and improved 3,397 acres. (2018)
MASGC living shorelines outreach efforts lead to protection of over 9 miles of shoreline
Relevance:
Erosion is a common issue for most shoreline property owners and resource managers. To combat erosion, property owners often harden their shorelines with bulkheads or seawalls. While these methods are somewhat effective at reducing erosion, they also are associated with continual maintenance and a loss of intertidal habitat. This intertidal habitat is extremely important for producing the ecosystem functions and services necessary to maintain a healthy coastal ecosystem.
Response:
The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium’s Living Shorelines Program seeks out and evaluates alternatives to hardened shorelines, such as living shorelines, for environmental and economic benefits. This program gathers information to produce outreach and extension materials educating a range of stakeholders, such as environmental managers, contractors and property owners, about the pros and cons of different methodologies.
Results:
The Living Shorelines Program provided 57 presentations, routine site visits and 13 publications focused on improving the effectiveness and ease of implementing living shorelines projects. Extension specialists informed decision-making on protection, restoration or enhancement of more than 9 linear miles of shoreline in Mississippi and Alabama. Their efforts led to protecting about 965 acres with an annual ecosystem service value approaching S45 million (based on ecosystem service values from Costanza et al. 2014, https://community-wealth.org/sites/clone.community-wealth.org/files/downloads/article-costanza-et-al.pdf).
Recap:
Living shorelines education and extension efforts led to the protection of 965 acres of marine habitat with an annual ecosystem service value approaching $45 million. (2018)
