Page 80 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2024

ECO TOURISM
in Coastal Mississippi
LEISURE
Grab your fishing pole, lace up your boots, and enjoy the scenic beauty of our bayous and forests because the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great place to enjoy the outdoors! Whether you live here year-round or are just visiting, there’s so much to see and do. Fishing, paddling, bird watching, and hiking are just a few great activities you can enjoy any time of year.
Unsure where to go? Local nature centers and parks below offer a wide range of options, whether you’re looking for an easy nature walk with your family or a more strenuous paddling excursion. Here are a few ideas to explore:
• Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Point –
story by Gulf of Mexico Alliance photo courtesy of
Gulf Coast Outpost Program
• Crosby Arboretum, Picayune – admission fee; visitor center, nature trails
If you need a little help making your outdoor adventure a reality, the Gulf Coast Outpost Program is a great resource
for finding local businesses that can get you closer to nature. This program, created by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, recognizes nature-based tourism companies in the six coastal counties of Mississippi that are focused on the environment and committed to sustainability. Each business goes through a training and certification process before becoming part of the program. Nearly 20 businesses in total, ranging from eco tours to charter boat operators, have been certified and are
listed on gulfcoastoutpost.com.
Finally, more than just the benefit giving us great
places to play, ecotourism plays a huge role in our economy. Over 850 coastal tourism and recreation businesses operate in the state of Mississippi, providing jobs for 15,000 people, according
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to a 2022 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nationwide, wildlife related recreation activities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching contribute $395 billion to our economy.
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
free; visitor center, nature trails, boat launch
• Pascagoula River Audubon Center, Moss
Point – admission fee; visitor center, nature
trails, kayak rentals
• Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge,
Gautier – free; visitor center, nature trails
• Shepard State Park, Gautier – admission
fee; nature trails, camping
• Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ocean
Springs – free; visitor center, nature trails,
boat launch
• Buccaneer State Park, Waveland –
admission fee; nature trails, camping 80 | January 2024
@gulfofmexicoalliance