This project is proudly funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and is a core initiative of Mississippi State University. This partnership ensures that our programs are backed by world-class scientific research and the academic excellence of MSU’s dedicated faculty and researchers.

Our mission is to better the lives of people across the Gulf States by increasing science literacy and environmental advocacy. By empowering the next generation with the tools to understand and protect their local ecosystems, we are building a more sustainable and equitable future for the entire region.

The Gulf Coast is home to some of the most ecologically diverse and culturally rich communities in the country, yet it is a population that is often overlooked in national scientific conversations. We are here to ensure that the voices and needs of Gulf Coast residents are centered in environmental education and leadership.

As a leading land-grant institution, Mississippi State University provides the scientific framework and educational leadership for our programs. Led by Dr. Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso, MSU researchers work directly with local youth to bridge the gap between academic science and the lived experiences of our communities.

We believe that language and culture are strengths, not barriers. By focusing on multilingual populations across the Gulf, we provide place-based learning that respects Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). This ensures that youth who are often marginalized in standard classrooms have the literacy and confidence to become leaders in environmental science.