Gulf of Mexico

Explore

Osprey in Nest 215x143The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is sometimes known as the sea hawk and is a fish-eating bird of prey. © Kent Mason
Live Video: I Spy an Osprey!

Watch an osprey family in their nest through our live-streaming webcam

Boom Deployment in Alabama ImageJeff Dequattro (wearing sunglasses, is a member of The Nature Conservancy staff) with Lynn Moore and others struggle to place a string of orange oll containment booms at The Nature Conservancy's oyster reef restoration project at Coffee Island on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The booms are being placed in an effort to protect the project from the spread of oil caused by the massive April 20th, 2010, British Petroleum (BP) offshore oil rig explosion and the continuing oil leak from it into the Gulf of Mexico. © Bill Finch
Gulf Oil Spill Updates

See what the Conservancy has been doing in the Gulf since the oil spill and what you can do to help.

Helping Hands
Oyster Castle VolunteersThe Nature Conservancy, its partners and over 500 volunteers started to build a 224-foot living shoreline at Pelican Point along Mobile Bay, Alabama. In total, 20,500 interlocking concrete blocks will be stacked along the shore to form the foundation of four oyster reefs. The reefs will protect 329 feet of natural shoreline, helping to minimize erosion, protect coastal dunes and enhance natural habitat. Photo © Erika Nortemann/TNC
Thank You Volunteers!

More than 500 volunteers spent their Saturday building a living shoreline on the Alabama coast

Pelican Point volunteersThe Nature Conservancy, its partners and over 500 volunteers started to build a 224-foot living shoreline at Pelican Point along Mobile Bay, Alabama. In total, 20,500 interlocking concrete blocks will be stacked along the shore to form the foundation of four oyster reefs. The reefs will protect 329 feet of natural shoreline, helping to minimize erosion, protect coastal dunes and enhance natural habitat. Photo © Erika Nortemann
Sweet Home Alabama

"People like me — and the hundreds of other volunteers... are part of the solution." Katherine Sather talks about her experience volunteering to restore the Gulf

Minor Sinclair 215x143Minor Sinclair, Oxfam. Image courtesy of Oxfam
People are Part of the Solution in the Gulf

Q&A with Minor Sinclair of Oxfam America about a new partnership with the Conservancy. Read more

Judy Haner_215x143TNC's Judy Haner joined some 545 volunteers that came out to Mobile Bay in Alabama to help restore the Gulf of Mexico. During the course of this weekend event, the volunteers worked alongside Conservancy scientists and partners to construct nearly one kilometer of oyster reef as part of the 100-1000: Restore Coastal Alabama project. Spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy, Alabama Coastal Foundation, Mobile Baykeeper and The Ocean Foundation, the 100-1000 project aims to build 100 miles of oyster reefs and promote the growth of 1,000+ acres of marsh and sea grass. © 2011 Erika Nortemann/TNC
Alabama Scientist Recognized for Work in the Gulf

The Conservancy's Judy Haner was recently recognized for her work in the Gulf of Mexico by the Audubon's Women in Conservation Program

Megan Brown_215x143. Megan Brown organized a 5K "Run for the Gulf" event for her high school project to raise awareness of the need for restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. She donated the proceeds to TNC's Gulf of Mexico program. © Paige Nichole Photography
5K Run for the Gulf

High school senior Megan Brown organizes a 5K run in Texas to raise funds and awareness for work in the Gulf

Susan FordSusan Ford in the Gulf of Mexico © Ivan Cordrey
Iron Woman Raises Funds for the Gulf

Read how one woman’s passion for triathlons helps restore the Gulf

gulfpride_patricktaylor_160x110Gulf Pride © Patrick Taylor
Hope Floats in the Gulf of Mexico

Artists draw, paint and sculpt to raise money for the Gulf

Mobile Bay Volunteers 215Some 545 volunteers that came out to Mobile Bay in Alabama to help restore the Gulf of Mexico. © 2011 Erika Nortemann/TNC
Extreme Gulf Makeover: Alabama Edition

Volunteers get down and dirty to restore oyster reefs in Mobile Bay

Science and Restoration
Marsh Buggy 215x143Marsh buggies are used in the construction of oyster reefs. © Andrew Kornylak
Rebuilding our Economy, Restoring Our Environment

Read our latest report on new and expanded opportunities for Gulf Coast businesses and communities. Or download a PDF

Gulf Map ToolExplore current and historical projects in the Gulf of Mexico. © TNC
We're in Your Backyard! Click to Explore.

Explore this interactive map of current and historical projects in the Gulf and learn about the places and wildlife we work to protect

Gulf Coast map toolGulf of Mexico Coastal Resilience Tool - an online tool for guiding restoration. © TNC
Conservation Goes to the Cloud

Our cloud-based program puts restoration at your fingertips so you can try your hand at restoring the Gulf. How could sea level rise affect Pensacola Bay? Where are the most promising places for oyster restoration? Give it a Try

interactive oyster reef graphicClick here to check see why oysters are so much more important than a delicious appetizer. © TNC
Visit an Oyster Reef

Our interactive oyster reef shows why oysters are so much more than just a delicious appetizer. Explore

reef rodeoVolunteers participate in a "reef rodeo" in Louisiana. © Jay Harrod/TNC
Yee-Haw!

Louisiana's Reef Rodeo celebrates restoration in the Gulf

brown pelican with chicksA Brown Pelican with chicks, nesting in a mangrove forest rookery in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. © 2010 Bridget Besaw
Ask the Conservationist

One reader asks: "How is the Gulf of Mexico doing now and what will its future be?" Read our answer and ask our scientists your own question

jeffdequattro_beth_maynor_young_160x110Jeff DeQuattro interview © Beth Maynor Young
Ask the Conservationist

Can scrap concrete be recycled into starting substrate for oyster beds? See our scientist's answer and submit your own question

Gulf of Mexico Dead ZoneGulf of Mexico dead zone. © NASA
2011: Experts Predict Largest Gulf "Dead Zone" on Record

As a result of extreme flooding throughout the Mississippi River Valley this spring, the "dead zone" could threaten seafood production, livelihoods and marine life

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Coral Reefs

Learn more about the treasures of the sea, and adopt one today

Discover the Importance of Oysters

Learn why oysters are vital for the health of people, animals and our oceans. Learn more