Mississippi Sound Estuary Program

Finding the right grant opportunities can be challenging, so we created a Grant Wish List to help connect organizations with funding opportunities that support projects improving the Mississippi Sound, its connected watersheds, and surrounding habitats.

Simply fill out the form, share your areas of interest, and we’ll help match you with grant opportunities that align with your goals and initiatives!

Complete the Grant Wish List form at msucoastal.com/grantwishlist

🌼 Yesterday, Homeschool Learning Lab students explored our pollinator garden in search of flowers to press and sketch in their nature journals. Students then used the pressed flowers to create beautiful handmade buttons as a lasting reminder of the important role native plants play in supporting our environment and pollinators! 🐝

More gear incoming! ⚓️

Starting today, May 13th, our new gear distribution process is officially live.

Our mission remains the same: equipping you with the knowledge and tools to confidently release reef fish and keep our stocks healthy. While release gear kits remain free, anglers will now cover the cost of shipping and handling to help us extend the reach and longevity of the program.

How it works:
1. Complete the free 15 minute online training on best release practices.
2. Receive a link for your $100 gear kit.
3. Just pay shipping and handling to get the gear to your door.

Ready to make an impact and join a community of over 50,000 anglers? Start your training here: https://returnemright.org/

🚨🚨JUST A REMINDER🚨🚨

This Thursday, May 21st, we will have our Bimonthly meeting with Kaitlyn Mitchell presenting on her program called Native Plant Producer Network. Do you have a interest in learning how to grow your own native plants? Do you want to grow plants to help retore Mississippi coastline? Come learn all about it! After the meeting Kaitlyn and her team will give us a behind the scenes look into the greenhouse where the native plants are grown.

Hope to see everyone there!

🎣 Bring the kids and join us for the PCVFD Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo! 🎣

We’re inviting families to come out for a fun day of fishing, smiles, and memories with the Pass Christian Volunteer Fire Department. Whether your child is already hooked on fishing or just trying it for the first time, this is a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and be part of a community tradition.

🐟 Kids Fishing Rodeo
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the whole family
🎣 Bring your young anglers and get ready to make some memories!

Please click the link below to register:

👉 https://bit.ly/FISHPCVFD

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

Our BTNEP Pollinator Plant Giveaway is in less than TWO WEEKS! 😍 Don’t forget to mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, May 30, at the BTNEP Native Plant Nursery, from 9 am - 12 pm.

Stop by the Nursery to take a look around, visit our info table, and leave with FREE native pollinator plants! We’ll have over 1,400 plants, with seven species available, including Lemon Beebalm and Plains Coreopsis. Each of the species is native to the area and is chosen for its ability to attract and feed pollinators, like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more.

You can make a difference by planting native species today, to save pollinators in the future! So grab your friends and family, and come see us on the 30th at the BTNEP Native Plant Nursery, located at the Nicholls Farm (104 Thoroughbred Park Dr., Thibodaux, LA 70301). We hope to see you there!

Join Mississippi Coastal Cleanup Program for their upcoming beach cleanup!

Do not forget to register for our upcoming beach cleanup at Pascagoula Beach Park on May 30 from 8:00 to 9:30 AM!!!

This volunteer opportunity takes place just before Sand Jam – Forces of Nature, so you can start your day by helping clean the beach and then stay to enjoy a fun celebration of the natural world around us.

Sand Jam – Forces of Nature is a free annual summer event celebrating Mississippi’s native wildlife, environment, and heritage. Help us kick things off by removing litter from the beach and making a positive impact before the festivities begin.

This is a family-friendly event, and all ages are welcome!

Event Details:
⏰Saturday, May 30, 2026, 8:00 am- 9:30 am
📍Pascagoula Beach Park, Pascagoula, MS
🏖️Join us at the beach for a cleanup event to kick off Sand Jam 2026. All cleanup supplies are provided.

✅Please register here: https://forms.gle/7MJVaYPSPHe7hBicA or by visiting our webpage at msucoastal.com/coastal-cleanup/