Raptor Road Show 2024
2024-08-10 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Join us as the Environmental Studies Center brings the Raptor Roadshow to the Grand Bay NERR! Learn about all the wonders of our native birds of prey. This show feature rehabilitated live raptors which may include hawks, kestrels, owls, kites, osprey, and a bald eagle. Space is limited to 40 people! You must reserve your seats to the show. Registration is open. Once all seats are filled you can email Jennifer Cumbest to be added to the waitlist.

Fly Tie Class 2024
2024-09-07 09:30 - 11:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Have you ever wanted to make your own flies for fishing?! Join us as the Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers teach us how to tie different salt and fresh water flies. Enjoy a small group, hands-on experience where everyone gets to leave with their own hand-made fly and maybe a new hobby! Space is limited to 20 people. Must reserve your seat by contacting Avery. *Must be age 12 and up to participate.

This event is co-participated by Mississippi Coast Fly Fishers (MCFF) and Project Healing Waters (PHW). Members will be happy to assist inquiries concerning PHW activities, and fly-fishing club activities, membership, and events. Join the fun, productive, and rewarding experience of fly fishing!

National Estuaries Day 2024
2024-09-28 08:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
WEATHER UPDATE POSTED FRIDAY 9/27/2024:
Due to tidal flooding not making the road safely passable by the boat launch or our staff to get boats in the water, all boat rides will be cancelled. There will not be a reschedule date. Instead of water events, we will focus on our upland wetland habitats that are still essential to our estuary! All building activities and exhibitors will still continue, and we are open to the public from 8 am to 2 pm! Come join us to celebrate National Estuaries Day!

WEATHER UPDATE POSTED MONDAY 9/23/2024:
The NERR staff is keeping a close eye on Invest 97L (potentially storm Helene).
Right now, the National Estuaries Day event will take place this Saturday, September 28th!
Background on how the storm will affect the NERR:
As of right now the storm does not look like it will have a direct effect on the NERR. However, the indirect impacts after the storm is what we will be keeping a close eye on. Storm surge and high winds can cause our road to flood between our building and the boat launch. This flooding makes it impossible for us to use the boat launch. High winds can also potentially cause hazards for our large vessels to navigate the bayou.
All that to say, post-storm may have some impacts that cause us to cancel the event.

Join the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in celebrating National Estuaries Day! Take a boat trip down beautiful Bayou Heron where you will meet our scientists and explore several different habitats. At the building, explore the estuary through hands-on activities. Learn how scientists conduct research in the field and use that information to help protect our estuaries. Boat rides run from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Boat space is limited. You must reserve your seat in order to ride a boat. Building activities are open to the public and do not require RSVP. Registration will open on August 30th, 2024 at 10:30 am.
Click on a trip time to reserve your tickets:
Trip 1 at 8:00 am
Trip 2 at 8:30 am
Trip 3 at 9:45 am
Trip 4 at 10:15 am
Trip 5 at 11:30 am
Trip 6 at 12:00 pm

Intermediate Batik Workshop - October 2024
2024-10-19 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Grand Bay NERR’s batik art workshops have connected science and art for almost a decade. Participants have created masterpieces on cotton poplin, explored different local habitats, and learned a new art form. This intermediate batik workshop will explore painting techniques, different fabric and materials, and a theme of functional art. The instructor for this batiking workshop is Grand Bay NERR’s Director, Dr. Ayesha Gray, ecologist and artist.

Who:

We invite any previous batik workshop attendee to come and create Reserve-inspired batik art. Because of the one-day nature of this workshop, you must have taken a batik workshop with us in the past, as we will expand on concepts learned in that workshop. Space is limited to 16 artists! To register email: sandra.bilbo@dmr.ms.gov

Mississippi Science Teachers Association Annual Conference 2024
2024-10-21 08:00 - 2024-10-22 17:00 UTC | Golden Nugget Casino, 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530
Grand Bay NERR will be at the MSTA Fall Conference! Come find us at our booth in the exhibits area to learn more about our education programs.

Open to MSTA attendees only.

Jackson County Fair 2024
2024-10-21 09:00 - 2024-10-26 21:00 UTC | Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Rd, Pascagoula, Mississippi, 39567, United States
Grand Bay NERR will be at the Jackson County Fair! Come find us at our booth inside the civic center.

Star Party 2024
2024-12-14 17:00 - 21:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Witness one of the largest meteor showers of the year the Geminids Meteor Shower! We will also have an amazing night of free family fun planned with a variety of soups and hot chocolate to enjoy. Some of the activities include: hayride from the Coastal Resources Center to boat launch, viewing the Geminids Meteor Shower, screech owl walk on our Savanna Trail boardwalk, cookie decorating (and eating!), pictures with Santa Claus, reindeer games, and creative crafts.

Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival 2025
2025-04-05 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | Memorial Park, Pass Christian, MS, 101 Fleitas Ave, Pass Christian, Mississippi, 39571, United States
Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival was first established in 1991 to teach residents and visitors about the importance of the Gulf of America. The festival is held the first Saturday in April under the beautiful canopy of the live oak trees in Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi in conjunction with our sister festival, Art in the Pass. Join us and our 35+ exhibitors to learn about everything from our upland habitats and wildlife to the recreational and commercial services that the Gulf of America provides! Come get a festival poster signed by our winning artist, and talk to our Student Science Showcase winners to learn about the science local students are doing in our community. Stop by our Registration tent to help your school win our School Attendance Award. We will have live animal shows, free family caricatures and photo booths, and tons of activities for kids of all ages. Come join us in celebrating our Gulf on the first Saturday in April!

Sand Jam
2025-05-31 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | Pascagoula Beach Park, 600 City Park Street, Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States
Grand Bay NERR will have a booth at Sand Jam in Pascagoula, MS.

Join us for a day of family fun as we celebrate our Mississippi wildlife, habitats, and heritage!

Kayaking – Youth Fishing – Cornhole – Giveaways – Activity Booths – Temporary Tattoos – Art Creating – Treasure Hunt – Band – Birds of Prey Show– Beach Clean Up

For more information, contact Jackson County Recreation at 228-826-5330.

Let's Get Batty! Teacher Workshop
2025-06-03 08:00 - 16:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Have you ever wanted to learn more about our friendly, flying mammal, the bat? Come join us at the NERR as we hear from bat biologist and researcher, Mandy Sartain. Learn about the important ecological and economical services bats provide us, as well as the bat research taking place at the NERR. Enjoy this free workshop and leave feeling a little battier!

Marine Discovery Day
2025-06-07 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Dr, Jackson, Mississippi, 39202
Want to learn about shark biology or how shrimp are caught? Curious about Mississippi’s marine fishes? Join us on May 6, 2023 for Marine Discovery Day at MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

MDWF’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and various coastal agencies and organizations will host fun and informative activities and demonstrations about Mississippi’s coastal resources, the seafood industry, and fishing!

This event is suitable for the whole family and is included with Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation Membership or regular Museum admission.

Teachers on the Estuary Workshop 2025
2025-06-10 07:30 - 2025-06-12 16:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Join us for our Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) workshop, “Enkindled in Ecology.” NERR scientists and educator talk all things fire ecology and its downstream effects on restoration activities. This workshop is geared towards middle and high school teachers, but all subjects and grade levels are welcome!

GulfSeeLife Teacher Workshop
2025-06-17 08:00 - 16:30, 2025-06-18 08:00 - 16:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
GulfSeeLife is an exciting, interactive app for environmental and marine life enthusiasts. GSL is a one-stop-shop for learning essential information about the most common species, ranging from marine life to coastal birds and plants, found in the Gulf. Learn about GSL and enjoy a boat trip through the estuary at Grand Bay NERR! Enjoy this free workshop and leave with another tool for your classroom!

Raptor Road Show 2025
2025-08-09 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Join us as the Environmental Studies Center brings the Raptor Roadshow to the Grand Bay NERR! Learn about all the wonders of our native birds of prey. This show feature rehabilitated live raptors which may include hawks, kestrels, owls, kites, osprey, and a bald eagle. Space is limited to 40 people! You must reserve your seats to the show. Registration is open. email Jennifer Cumbest (jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov) to reserve your seat!

Nature Drawing for Teens and their Grownups Series: Sketching from Life
2025-09-20 09:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Grand Bay NERR is excited to launch a new art workshop series focused on teenagers learning to draw nature. This 4-part series will give teens and their grownup a chance to learn different skills within the drawing art form. With guest teacher, experienced artist and educator, Carrie-Ann Pierson, students will learn techniques of basic drawing with nature as the subject. The first workshop hosted on September 20th will be sketching from life. These classes are limited to 12 total participants; you must reserve your spot by emailing Jen Cumbest at jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov. It is highly encouraged for participants to commit to and attend all 4 sessions.

National Estuaries Day 2025
2025-09-27 08:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Join the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in celebrating National Estuaries Day! Take a boat trip down beautiful Bayou Heron where you will meet our scientists and explore several different habitats. At the building, explore the estuary through hands-on activities. Learn how scientists conduct research in the field and use that information to help protect our estuaries. Boat rides run from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Boat space is limited. You must reserve your seat in order to ride a boat. Building activities are open to the public and do not require RSVP. Click here to register for a boat trip. Registration will open on September 1st, at 9am.

Intermediate Batik Workshop - October 2025
2025-10-10 08:00 - 2025-10-11 17:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Grand Bay NERR’s batik art workshops have connected science and art for almost a decade. Participants have created masterpieces on cotton poplin, explored different local habitats, and learned a new art form. This intermediate batik workshop will explore painting techniques, different fabric and materials, and a theme of functional art. The instructor for this batiking workshop is Grand Bay NERR’s Director, Dr. Ayesha Gray, ecologist and artist.

We invite any previous batik workshop attendee to come and create Reserve-inspired batik art. You must have taken a batik workshop with us in the past, as we will expand on concepts learned in that workshop. Space is limited to 16 artists! Registration details to come!

Reasearch Symposium 2025
2025-10-15 | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Grand Bay NERR Research Symposium is an opportunity for researchers and managers to gather and learn about the ongoing work at Grand Bay NERR, whether that’s done by Grand Bay staff or external researchers. These presentations and discussions are opportunities to identify information gaps, brainstorm project ideas, and form new partnerships to tackle important research and management needs moving forward.

Nature Drawing for Teens and their Grownups Series: Proportion and Gridding
2025-10-18 09:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Grand Bay NERR is excited to launch a new art workshop series focused on teenagers learning to draw nature. This 4-part series will give teens and their grownup a chance to learn different skills within the drawing art form. With guest teacher, experienced artist and educator, Carrie-Ann Pierson, students will learn techniques of basic drawing with nature as the subject. The second workshop hosted on October 18th will be proportion and gridding. These classes are limited to 12 total participants; you must reserve your spot by emailing Jen Cumbest at jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov. It is highly encouraged for participants to commit to and attend all 4 sessions.

Jackson County Fair 2025
2025-10-20 09:00 - 2025-10-25 21:00 UTC | Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Rd, Pascagoula, Mississippi, 39567, United States

Mississippi Science Teachers Association Annual Conference 2025
2025-10-21 08:00 - 2025-10-22 11:00 UTC | MSU Riley Center, 2200 5th Street, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States

Nature Drawing for Teens and their Grownups Series: Value and Shading
2025-11-15 09:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Grand Bay NERR is excited to launch a new art workshop series focused on teenagers learning to draw nature. This 4-part series will give teens and their grownup a chance to learn different skills within the drawing art form. With guest teacher, experienced artist and educator, Carrie-Ann Pierson, students will learn techniques of basic drawing with nature as the subject. The third workshop hosted on November 15th will be value and shading. These classes are limited to 12 total participants; you must reserve your spot by emailing Jen Cumbest at jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov. It is highly encouraged for participants to commit to and attend all 4 sessions.

Fall Paddle 2025
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Estuaries are where the rivers meet the sea, creating a unique and important ecosystem. Learning and understanding this valuable environment can only increase your connection to nature in your community. Join us as we kayak along our bayou here at Grand Bay NERR! Space is limited to 16 participants! We provide tandem kayaks. Email Jennifer Cumbest at jenniger.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov to register!

Wildlife Roadshow Show 2025
2025-11-24 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Environmental Studies Center is bringing the Wildlife Road Show to the Grand Bay NERR! Learn about all the wonders of our native wildlife. This show features rehabilitated live animals, which may include opossum, gator, snake, owl, hawk, and pelican. Space is limited to 40 people! You must reserve your seats to the show. Join the NERR staff for a soup lunch afterwards! Soup will be Newk’s Tomato Basil and Chicken Tortilla. Registration will open Nov 7th. Once all seats are filled you can email Jennifer Cumbest (jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov) to be added to the waitlist.

Nature Drawing for Teens and their Grownups Series: Charcoal
2025-12-06 09:00 - 14:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
The Grand Bay NERR is excited to launch a new art workshop series focused on teenagers learning to draw nature. This 4-part series will give teens and their grownup a chance to learn different skills within the drawing art form. With guest teacher, experienced artist and educator, Carrie-Ann Pierson, students will learn techniques of basic drawing with nature as the subject. The third workshop hosted on December 6th will be charcoal. These classes are limited to 12 total participants; you must reserve your spot by emailing Jen Cumbest at jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov. It is highly encouraged for participants to commit to and attend all 4 sessions.

Star Party 2025
2025-12-13 17:00 - 21:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States

Track and Sign Certification Training
2026-02-07 08:00 - 2026-02-08 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Come join this rigorous and fun field training and certification in learning to read the tracks and signs of wildlife that call the upland forests, pine savannas, and salt pannes home at Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Space is limited! This course will run from February 7th-February 8th with lunch included. Dorm accommodations are available on a first come first serve basis at $15/ night. Course fee is $350 with discounts for local residents (MS and AL coastal counties only- Hancock, Harrison, Jackson; Baldwin, Mobile). More information can be found in the Coastal Training section under “Trainings & Workshops”.
Any questions can be directed to the Training and Engagement Coordinator, Margo Posten at margo.posten@dmr.ms.gov or 228-697-0205. Register *HERE*

Batik Art Workshop: Birds
2026-02-07 08:00 - 2026-02-08 17:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
At the Grand Bay NERR, we explore science and art as linked discovery endeavors with a series of workshops that connect our community to the reserve. Dr. Ayesha Gray, ecologist/artist, is the director of the reserve and she has worked in the art form of batik, using hot wax to draw on fabric, for decades and taught art workshops at the NERR since 2015. We invite those who have or have never batiked at all art skill levels to attend this course and create reserve-inspired batik art. This class’s theme is birds, and we will begin by participation in our Sparrow Sweep event. This event includes searching for, trapping, and banding sparrows with Dr. Mark Woodrey. We will use this experience to explore our pine savanna for close nature observations where we’ll look for art inspiration to create our pieces.

Sparrow Sweep 2025
2026-02-07 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS 39562, MS, 39562, United States
Join Dr. Mark Woodrey and his students for a morning of sparrow searching, trapping, and banding. Learn about the different species of sparrows that winter in south Mississippi. Activities include field observation, pine savanna hiking, and mist netting observations. Participation is limited to the first 40 registrants. To register contact Jennifer Cumbest (info below).
