Project name: Nursery for Tidal Marsh Restoration (#4005)
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator: Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Project location: Biloxi, Mississippi
Grant period: Jan 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007
Grant amount: $50,000
Land Ownership: Public
Lat/Long: West: -89.856098; East: -88.380474
Types of Habitat: Tidal marsh habitat
Project leader: Leah Bray, Coastal Ecologist
Mississippi Dept of Marine Resources
1141 Bayview Avenue, Suite 101
Biloxi, MS 39530
(228) 374-5022x5245 phone
(228) 374-5008 fax
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
• Black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus),
• Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
• other species as applicable
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Restoration plans are being developed for site specific areas within the three coastal
counties to include approximately 1,000 acres.
The type of habitat to be restored is tidal marsh and
will cover approximately 80 acres with the plants
developed from this proposal.
Project Goal:
The project will provide a local source of plant
material to restore coastal wetlands in conjunction
with restoration plans for MS GEMS.
Objectives:
Provide healthy plant specimens of Juncus roemerianus
and Spartina alterniflora for approved tidal
restoration projects by 2007.
Community Involvement:
The community will be invited to participate in
planting of marsh grasses in coastal wetlands.
Invitations will be extended to area schools to be
coordinated with school science teachers and their
ecology and science clubs. This project will provide
students with valuable hands-on experience in habitat
restoration activities while promoting science
education and the value of maintaining a healthy
environment. A brochure is planned for outreach and
education and to invite different groups to participate
in the restoration activities.
