Mobile Bay National Estuary Program

10/14/2026

We enjoyed welcoming representatives from EPA Region 4 to coastal Alabama to see firsthand some of the projects underway in several local watersheds!

EPA's National Estuary Program provides an important framework for locally driven conservation and restoration, empowering communities to identify priorities and chart their own future. We appreciate EPA's continued partnership and support for this approach because those who live it, know it!

A special thank you to Bellingrath Gardens & Home and the Town of Dauphin Island for their hospitality and for helping us showcase the special places and partnerships that make this work possible.

10/14/2026

Only a few days left to apply for the Bays and Buy-Ins Ecotourism Pitch Competition!

Bays and Buy-Ins is a pitch competition supporting entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and other interest groups in developing innovative ecotourism experiences in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Do you or a friend have an award-winning idea? We want to hear it! Apply at the link below.

https://zealous.co/innovationportalmobile/opportunity/baysandbuyins/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU8ouFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMW9GTzFUaXVscGdVZXRBd2JzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemSQ9r0BINr-I4n0JL_7vpP4RalFO3GeVgAXToGygjyjn6Uh8Gz8xa7hqol8_aem_iRJ2Oh0Jlkp0lEVz76fnYg

10/13/2026

The Mobile County Wildlife and Conservation Association is hosting the 3rd Annual Oyster Ball on Saturday, November 7th at Braided River!

This event includes all you can eat oysters from local Alabama farms, live music, and an opportunity to connect with the farmers. Mobile Bay NEP is excited to participate this year, and we hope to see you there! For more information or to buy a ticket, visit the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-oyster-ball-tickets-1998365531098

10/12/2026

The findings from the Fowl River Marsh Health Study have been published!

After a data-collection period from 2016 to 2020, this article characterizes the Fowl River marsh system and an interdisciplinary team's efforts to assess risk factors driving local marsh loss. Results detailed in this paper were actively used to inform all aspects of the Fowl River marsh spits restoration program (final phase completed earlier this year).

A lot of work behind the scenes goes into preparing scientific data for publication; therefore, we would like to thank our coauthors, research support staff from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Thompson Engineering, and students from the University of South Alabama for their assistance in collecting and processing samples for the marsh assessment. We also extend our gratitude to the Fowl River community members who have been engaged since the beginning of the project, and whose dedication and interest made this restoration possible.

To read the full document, visit the link below.
https://www.mobilebaynep.com/uploads/images/Morrison_et_al-2026-Estuaries_and_Coasts_watermark.pdf

10/07/2026

What do dolphins do during a storm?

With this weekend's forecast, you might be wondering how major weather events such as hurricanes or tropical storms affect marine life.

Hurricanes generate high winds, causing increased wave energy that mixes warm surface water with cooler water below. Heavy rainfall also generates temporary drops in salinity for affected areas. Slower-moving marine life can be subjected to the rapid changes in water temperature, salinity, and deeper, fast-moving currents generated by the hurricane-force winds. Faster animals such as sharks, large fish, and dolphins move quickly to calmer waters and are generally unaffected. Stay safe out there!

📷 Beautiful Moments Photography by BeBe

10/06/2026

Registration for the upcoming Bays and Bayous Symposium is open!

Don't miss out on early registration rates, Early Bird closes on November 30th, 2026! Visit the link below to sign up today!

https://bbs27.baysandbayous.com/

Registration for the 2027 Bays and Bayous Symposium is NOW OPEN!

Join us in Mobile for a week of sharing cutting-edge research, networking with regional science experts, and catching up on the latest habitat management and monitoring techniques on the Gulf Coast. Early bird registration closes November 30th, 2026.

Early registration rates:
- Professionals: $275
- Early Career: $200
- Student: $125

Register now: https://bbs27.baysandbayous.com/

10/02/2026

Presented by Our Partners: Shiny Shores Shoreline Evaluation

Today we are sharing the first part of a series called Presented by Our Partners, where the Mobile Bay NEP's Management Conference members share exciting updates, programs, or science.

As part of his PhD, Dr. Aaron Bland has developed an app and published a paper called Shiny Shores to help environmental managers select the most cost-effective and efficient methods for their needs. Dr. Bland was a student at our partner organizations the University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The paper quantifies multiple sources of error across various methods available to practitioners, and evaluates their effects on final shoreline movement rate estimates. Aaron also developed an R-Shiny App, Shiny Shores, that allows users to evaluate methods relative to their specific needs. Users can input the approximate rate of their local shoreline movement and details of the methods available to them, and simulations then identify which methods will be sufficiently accurate to detect the local shoreline movements.

Congratulations on publishing, Dr. Bland, and thank you for sharing!

10/01/2026

After more than 30 years dedicated to conserving Alabama’s natural resources, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Christopher M. Blankenship is retiring from the position this week.

A native of coastal Alabama who grew up on Dauphin Island, Chris began his career with ADCNR in 1994 as a Conservation Enforcement Officer with the Marine Resources Division and was appointed Commissioner in 2017.

Chris has been an important part of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program for many years. Since becoming Commissioner, he has served as co-chair of the MBNEP Executive Committee, helping guide our work to protect and restore the waters, habitats, and communities of coastal Alabama.

During his tenure as Commissioner, Chris has led historic investments in conservation, outdoor recreation, public access, and coastal restoration across Alabama. More than 110,000 acres have been added for public use, over $350 million has been invested in Alabama State Parks, and more than 50 boating access projects have been completed. Along the coast, Chris and his team have also directed hundreds of millions of dollars in GOMESA funding and more than $1.27 billion in Deepwater Horizon restoration and recovery projects.

“Chris understands coastal Alabama because it is home,” said MBNEP Director Jason Kudulis. “He has accomplished a tremendous amount for this state while leading with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to public service. We are fortunate to have had him as a friend and partner to MBNEP for so many years.”

Congratulations, Chris, on a remarkable career and good luck on your future endeavors!

09/30/2026

👋Calling municipal and county erosion and sediment control inspectors, building inspectors, local engineers, consultants, developers, contractors, and municipal staff: Join us in Mobile November 18th for an Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practice Training.

👉Registration Open Now! https://aces.edu/go/ESC

🔸When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 8:00am - 4:30pm
🔸Where: John Archer Agricultural Center
1070 Schillinger Rd. N. Mobile, AL 36608
🔸Cost: $50 | Free for municipal employees, email Laura Cooley, AUWRC for details.
🔸Lunch Provided | .75 CEUs available

Hosted by: Mobile County, Baldwin County, Auburn University Water Resources Center, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Auburn Stormwater

What you'll do:

+ Become familiar with the Alabama Handbook for Erosion, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management’s (Blue Book) history and application.
+ Learn practical information regarding the effectiveness of different BMPs.
+ Increase understanding of the impact of erosion and sediment on natural resources and ways to mitigate that impact.
+ Gather design knowledge regarding erosion and sediment control best management practices.
+ Engage in hands-on BMP sessions.


Questions? Email Laura Cooley ([email protected]), AU Water Resources Center