In early July, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance hosted the second Gulf Observation and Monitoring Workshop to develop and prioritize objectives for Observations and Monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 40 people attended the meeting at the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve with a goal to create a collaborative community that agrees on data sharing and priority funding opportunities. Participants brainstormed activity lists for each primary objective and prioritized those actions in a voting activity. The group discussed developing a white paper to document the process and overall actions necessary to move forward as a collaborative. To stay up-to-date on collaborative Gulfwide monitoring efforts, contact GOMA to be added to the listserv.  

The Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment (GCVA) is evaluating the vulnerability of mangroves, barrier islands, oyster reefs, and tidal emergent marshes and their associated species to climate change, sea level rise, and urbanization across the northern U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The project originated out of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's Habitat Conservation and Restoration Priority Issue Team and is being spearheaded by the four Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) along the Gulf Coast.  Experts are needed to inform the assessment. Results from the GCVA will be used to inform Gulf-wide adaptation strategies and help prioritize areas where more research is needed.

The initial phase of the GCVA is evaluating a habitat or species that has been studied or managed. Experts are requested to complete an assessment template. More information about participation can be found here. Visit the GCVA group located on this LCC website to see a map of how the Gulf has been divided for this project and a list of the species and habitats being evaluated. You can also contact Amanda Watson, the GCVA Coordinator, by email amandaw@gri.msstate.edu