October was a busy month for the NERR, as we prepared for and hosted our bi-annual Research Symposium. The Symposium objectives included: (1) Share significant research conducted in the Grand Bay estuary area; (2) Provide results of research projects to researchers and natural resource managers; and (3) Encourage collaboration among researchers conducting studies in the Grand Bay estuary. We had a great turnout had a wonderful time not only listening to everyone’s research and coastal project updates but also guiding participants on a few field excursions – to a recent mastication site (Fig. 1) and along the Savanna Trail (Fig. 2).
Figure 1. Field excursion to a recent mastication site. Photo by J. Pitchford.
Figure 2. Field excursion to the Savanna Trail, where our wonderful volunteer Janet helped provide information on the local plants. Photo by A. Heaton.
One of our favorite ways to end the day was to treat everyone to a sunset cruise around Heron Bayou and Middle Bay (Fig. 3).
Figure 3. The MISS NERR carries Symposium participants out on Bayou Heron and Middle Bay for a sunset cruise finale
In the research realm, we also got the in situ phosphate analyzer (the WIZ) back out in Bangs Bayou. Part of deployment means cleaning bird poop off the solar panels – the birds do enjoy sitting on top of our pilings and solar panels (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. Cleaning bird droppings off the solar panel that supports the WIZ Phosphate analyzer. Photo by J. Patel.
Stewardship and Education also had big months, with lots of programming around the NERR and Mississippi! Education hosted a Bat Workshop, where families learned more about Mississippi bats and built bat boxes to take home with them (Fig. 5).
Figure 5. Family bat day at the Coastal Resources Center.
Mike Archer and Jonathan Pitchford taught over 400 kids about fire ecology and land management at Career Day at East Hancock County Elementary school, which is a 4-H event sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension (Fig. 6).
Figure 6. Mike Archer teaches students about fire ecology and land management. Photo by J. Pitchford.
And reptiles were still on the move this month, with turtles and snakes crossing the roads! Make sure to keep an eye out and avoid them when you can.
Figure 7. Box turtle on Bayou Heron road. Photo by R. Lipscomb.
Figure 8. Juvenile speckled king snake. Photo by R. Lipscomb.