Biodiversity Profile

Borrichia frutescens

Sea Ox-eye

This is a bright-yellow salt marsh daisy that is found most often along the upper edges of the mid-marsh zone. The leaves of this small shrub are succulent (thick, fleshy and full of moisture). Look for the flowers of this plant to bloom from mid spring through early fall. The flowers provide a source of nectar for many migrating butterflies and moths.

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See also Current Tides

 

 

This project is funded by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in part through a grant provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GNDNERR), established in 1999, is managed through a unique local, state and federal partnership designed to promote estuarine research and education within Mississippi's Coastal Zone and its adjacent ecosystems. The major partners of the GNDNERR include the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, Mississippi State University, The Nature Conservancy, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Southern Mississippi. Additionally, a Citizens Advisory Committee has been established to assure that the concerns of the local citizens are adequately addressed by the Management Board.

View a short video contrasting selected habitats of the reserve before and after Hurricane Katrina

 

 

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Official Web site of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
© 2006 Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Announcements

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Reaches Reserve

The first patch of oil to reach the reserve was detected on Saturday, June 12th. A two-acre patch of sheen and small patches of the gooey, peanut butter-like, weathered oil was spotted along the MS/AL state line near the mouth of Bayou Heron, Middle Bay and Barton Island, AL. Secondary booms have now been secured in order to try and stop the progression of the oil farther up the bayou.

Up until this time, the staff of the Reserve had been actively involved in working to protect our natural and cultural resources in the aftermath of the oil spill which initially occurred on April 20th over 100 miles away. We have been working with other representatives of the Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality to have protective boom placed at strategic locations across the Reserve. Several miles of booms have been put in place to help protect the waterways and wetlands of the Reserve from the oil.

Since the beginning of the spill, researchers have gathered baseline samples and documented many of our most critical coastal resources including seagrass beds, oyster reefs, bays, bayous and salt marshes. These samples will be used to help determine any potential impacts from the oil. Additionally, low-level, aerial photographs have been taken to document the current conditions and the placement of booms at the Reserve. Please click here to view some of these photos.

NOTICE TO BOATERS: All waters within the Reserve are currently open to the public, but some waterways may be blocked by booms. Please do not jeopardize your safety or the effectiveness of these booms by crossing over them.

NOTICE TO FISHERMEN: All tidal waters of the Reserve are closed to all commercial and recreational fishing including the harvesting of finfish, crabs, shrimp and oysters. Please contact the NERR (228-475-7047) or Dept. of Marine Resources (228-374-5000) for updates.

For more information regarding the spill please click here.

Important Numbers:

If you detect oil, please make note of your location and leave the area. Call 866.448.5816 to report the oil.

To report oiled wildlife, call 800.557.1401. Do not attempt to handle the wildlife.

To report a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle call 888.767.3657. Do not attempt to handle the animal.

To report a boom-related issue, call 866.448.5816

Our national friends group, NERRA, is raising money to assist in estuarine oil spill response and education. If you would like to help, go to http://www.nerra.org/pageid/170/default.aspx

Other Links of Interest:
http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/DMR/oil-spill.htm
http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/

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NERR 10 Year Report

New Plant Guides, Companion Posters and Bird Guides May Be Picked Up at the Following Locations:
Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
6005 Bayou Heron Road
Moss Point, MS 39560
228-475-7047

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
1141 Bayview Ave., Suite 101
Biloxi, MS 39532
228-374-5000

Mississippi State Coastal Research and Extension Center
1815 Popp's Ferry Road
Biloxi, MS 39532
Phone: 228-388-4710

Please call before you visit one the above sites, to make sure they have a supply of books on hand. Because supplies are limited, we are limiting the distribution of the books to one per family. To save money, we are not mailing books within out coastal region. If you would like to request that a distribution site be established nearer to your area, please contact jen.buchanan@dmr.ms.gov.