GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 1197
- 1. Title of Project
- Revitalization of Gulfport Least Tern Important Bird Area, Eco-tourism, and Coastal Outreach
- 2. Location of Project
- Harrison County, Jackson County
- 3. Requesting Organization
- National Audubon Society
- 4a. Name
- Caitlin Lill
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 773-951-4900
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 225 Varick St
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- New York, NY 10014
- 4f. Email
- caitlin.lill@audubon.org
- 5. FundingRequested
- $1,131,503
- Awarded Amount:
- $0
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- $0
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $1,131,503
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The proposed project would build on the foundation of our previous Phase 1 GOMESA grant and will restore the Gulfport Least Tern Important Bird Areas(IBAs) in Harrison County by conducting a number of enhancements to benefit nature tourism, public access, and birds, including the installation of fencing, inclusion of recreational amenities such as bird viewing areas, making improvements to public access points, and conducting activities to manage and protect bird nesting area habitats. We are seeking GOMESA funding to restore these sanctuaries as a direct follow-up to our Phase I grant, with enhancements specifically made to benefit birds, public access, and nature tourism. There are many benefits of restoring these IBAs and creating community spaces for public to safely experience the Least Tern colonies. The permanent fencing will enable year-round protection for the dune habitat, allowing plants to establish and provide cover for eggs and chicks. The lack of beach disturbance in these areas will allow the dunes to build in elevation, which will alleviate nest and chick vulnerability to storm surges. The recreational amenities will promote nature-based tourism in coastal Mississippi, which can be a strong economic driver for these communities. ADA accessibility will enhance social equity and bird blinds will help engaging the public and tourists into bird and habitat conservation. Finally, interpretive signage will provide education about the importance of protecting coastal habitats and specifically the Least Tern IBA. Signage will help visitors understand the importance of protecting the area year-round and will encourage bird-centered tourism.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- Goal 1: Protect coastal species that nest and rest at the Gulfport Important Bird Area by replacing previously destroyed fencing and signs with durable materials. - Objective 1: Provide permanent year-round fencing to reduce human disturbance and allow the dunes to build up within the Least Tern IBA. - Objective 2: Ensure that construction is based on engineers’ recommendations to better withstand severe storm events. - Objective 3: In coordination with the Harrison County Sand Beach Authority, improve ADA accessibility from parking bays to the IBA sites. Goal 2: Restore habitat at the IBA using management actions that have been demonstrated to increase Least Tern nest and chick survival. - Objective 1: Build on efforts through a previous US Fish and Wildlife Service grant to distribute shellhash across the site to improve camouflage conditions for nesting birds. - Objective 2: Test and deploy non-lethal predator abatement methods to reduce egg and chick loss to avian predators. - Objective 3: Monitor Least Tern use and productivity within the tern sanctuaries post-restoration. Goal 3: Promote nature-based tourism in coastal MS through engaging and accessible public recreational features at the IBA. - Objective 1: Install two bird observation areas for visitors to safely view nesting birds, limiting disturbance. - Objective 2: Add two interpretive signs to the site for public education. - Objective 3: Build and install fixed-point photography posts at Least Tern IBA’s in partnership with Gulfport High School for a community-science project to document restoration. - Objective 4: Install billboards to the east and west of the colonies on Highway 90 during the critical summer months of the nesting season. - Objective 5: Work with staff at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center to develop on-site and community programming around the Least Tern IBA.
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- Yes: This project focuses on the restoration of the Gulfport Least Tern Important Bird Areas, a major win for coastal conservation. There will be several approaches to habitat improvements, including substrate modification through shellhash, predator management, and increased bird monitoring and research at the site. The project will make the area less vulnerable to storm surge by allowing dunes to build back up and stabilize.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: We will work directly to mitigate damage to vulnerable bird species that occurred during recent hurricanes and tropical storms of the last five years.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- Year 1 - - Completion of design of fencing, severe storm resistant materials, accessibility features, and recreational amenities. - Bidding of construction work. - Possible beginning of construction after the nesting season. - Begin design of fixed-point photograph posts with Gulfport High School. - Awareness campaign for the construction, development of printed and outreach materials for the public. - Begin developing educational programming with staff from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. Year 2 - - Complete construction and determine maintenance schedule. - Add two interpretive signs for public education. - Installation of shellhash test plots to improve camouflage conditions for nesting birds. - Test and deploy non-lethal predator abatement methods. - Monitoring Least Tern use and productivity during the nesting season. - Build and install fixed-point photography posts in partnership with Gulfport High School. - Install billboards to the east and west of the IBA during the critical summer months of nesting season. - Launch educational programming with staff from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. - Develop new printed and outreach materials to education the public about the IBA construction and restoration. Year 3 - - Installation of shellhash test plots to improve camouflage conditions for nesting birds. - Test and deploy non-lethal predator abatement methods. - Monitoring Least Tern use and productivity during the nesting season. - Install billboards to the east and west of the IBA during the critical summer months of nesting season. - Continue partnership with Gulfport High School and assess use of the fixed-point photography posts. - Continue educational programming and assess impact.
- 13. Project Timing
- Deferred/Long-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other quoted Funds Not Budgeted
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- This project significantly advances MDMR’s goals and objectives of protecting and conserving marine bird species for present and future generations. Our goal at Audubon Delta is to increase populations of vulnerable coastal bird species to sustainable numbers. Not only does this project take direct conservation action to research and protect coastal breeding-bird species, but it expands active stewardship for migratory and winter foraging species. A strong example of conservation impact is in the site restoration efforts our staff will be undertaking. Audubon conducted a small-scale study in 2023, funded by USFWS, on the effects of shell hash in these areas on Least Tern nest success. Based on preliminary analyses, terns clearly preferred the shell hash, with an average nest density of 32 nests per 10x10m shell plot compared to 4 nests per 10x10m control plot. Nests in shell hash were 16% more likely to hatch than nests in control plots, although sample sizes in control plots were small and site-specific effects on nest survival were much greater than the effects of shell hash. Inference can be improved with additional years of data collection and placement of additional shell hash. If we find that the shell plots continue to increase nest survival rates, we will establish an ongoing program whereby we replace shell hash every year. Community engagement is also critical to the success of conservation goals, especially as humans and birds co-exist in these coastal environments. We will engage in public education from a variety of approaches, including working with Gulfport High School, continuing the interpretive story trail, and launching new educational programming with staff from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. In these ways we will reach local bird watchers, tourists, beachgoers, schoolchildren on field trips to PRAC, and families across the coast. Educating the public will continue to create goodwill towards conservation issues, especially those faced by birds and the places they live, and will engage younger generations to carry forward conservation goals into adulthood. In summary, “Revitalization of Gulfport Least Tern Important Bird Area, Eco-tourism, and Coastal Outreach” will significantly build on Audubon Delta’s progress from the Phase I GOMESA grant.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 4
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 1/1/2027
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $466,183
- Travel
- $15,000
- Architecture & Engineering
- $50,000
- Legal
- $0
- Consulting
- $0
- Construction
- $306,000
- Site Work
- $0
- Equipment
- $29,000
- Indirects
- $157,320
- Other
- $108,000
- Total
- $1,131,503
- Application Submission Date
- 07/28/2023
- Fiscal Year
- 2025
- Project Status
- Not Awarded
- Application Status
- Accepted
- Meets Criteria
- Yes
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments