"* Save the gulf of mexico .com is the premier online directory and resource guide for global wildlife conservation. "

New Website for Mapping the Response to BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
The dynamic nature of the BP oil spill has been a challenge for a range of communities - from hotel operators to fishermen to local community leaders. We know the American people have questions about how the federal government is responding to this crisis, and we are committed to providing the answers with clarity and transparency. GeoPlatform.gov/gulfresponse is a new online tool that provides you with near-real time information about the response effort. Developed by NOAA with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Interior, the site offers you a 'one-stop shop' for spill response information.
info above from new website click here to go to site
BAN OFF SHORE DRILLING!
The White House has placed an immediate ban on new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, as oil from the wrecked Deepwater Horizon rig begins to wash ashore in Louisiana. Up to 200,000 gallons of oil per day (or 1 million gallons of crude per week) are spewing into the Gulf Of Mexico from three leaks on the sea bed floor. The true extent of this ecological disaster is just beginning to be understood as our government struggles to contain an oil spill that has grown in size and scope far beyond any original projections. It is now a catastropic event of national significance and a ticking environmental time bomb that threatens to explode the entire food chain in an already fragile ecosystem.

Gulf Oil Spill Could Get 10 Times Worse
As of May 5, 2010 only one of three leaks capped, and there is no slowdown of the out pouring of oil. The outlook is grim!
Oil is flooding from the sea floor at an estimated 210,000 gallons daily since an oil rig exploded two weeks ago at a British Petroleum offshore drilling site in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water bordered and nearly landlocked by North America. The gulf's eastern, northern, and northwestern shores lie within the United States of America. The gulf is bordered on the southwestern and southern shores with Mexico.
The total area of the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 615,000 square miles. Coastal cities along the Gulf of Mexico include Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pensacola, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, and Houston in the United States,Veracruz and Mérida in Mexico, and Havana in Cuba.

The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
A huge "dead zone" of water so devoid of oxygen that sea life cannot live in it has spread across 5,800 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico last summer in what has become an annual occurrence caused by pollution. The dead zone lacks oxygen because of pollution in the form of excess nutrients that flows into the gulf from the Mississippi River. Animals trying to live in this smothering layer of water near the bottom of the sea must either leave or they will sufficate. To learn more about the "dead zone" please visit the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Assessment' s website. NOAA's Official Website

Worldwide Conservation Organizations:

The Nature Conservancy - The Nature Conservancy's mission is to 'preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive' (mission from The Nature Conservancy magazine).
The World Wildlife Fund - The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the world's largest privately-supported international conservation organization. The WWF aims to protect wildlife and threatened habitats.
Greenpeace International - Greenpeace exists because this fragile Earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.
Friends of the Environment
Since it began in 1990, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has proudly supported the efforts of Canadians who are dedicated to the well-being of our environment.
World Conservation Union - The World Conservation Union promotes sustainable, ecologically-sound development practices while maintaining and protecting biodiversity. Visit their website for information about their conservation efforts.
Wildlife Conservation Society - The Wildlife Conservation Society 'saves wildlife and wild lands through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo' (from the World Conservation Society website).

The Sierra Club -The Sierra Club's members are more than 750,000 of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
National Wildlife Federation - Visit the National Wildlife Federation website for the latest news, conservation information, and research concerning wildlife and natural habitats. This organization unites individuals, policy makers, and businesses in an effort to protect the environment.
Friends of Haleakala National Park - The Friends of Haleakela National Park supports 'educational, cultural, research, and service activities relating to the Haleakala National Park and its ecosystems' (Source: FHNP website). This stunning park, located on Maui's Haleakala volcano, is home to more threatened and endangered species than any other national park in the United States including the Hawaiian state bird, the Nene.
The National Audubon Society - It is the mission of the National Audubon Society to conserve and restore natural ecosystems. Their efforts focus on birds and other wildlife and their work is aimed to benefit humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Ducks Unlimited - Ducks Unlimited 'conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people' (mission from Ducks Unlimited website).

Why conservation?
The push for economic development has seen rapid urbanization, destruction of irreplaceable cultural heritage, and the destruction of many natural sites. Yet heritage preservation is not an obstacle to economic growth, in fact, it is a critical element of sustainable socio-economic development. In conserving cultural heritage, we are conserving those elements of our past that have the potential to contribute to our understanding of history on a local, regional and global scale. Historic sites demonstrate a community’s cultural continuity and long-term survival.

At the same time, conservation also directly serves economic development goals. It is a productive activity which creates jobs and economic activity in the local community. Conserved buildings and structures not only reinforce the character of the historic town, but they can also be re-used or adapted for different purposes as housing, schools, health centers, and museums.

Urban historic sites have significant potential for drawing cultural tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization, 70 percent of tourist revenues are spent in cities.

In the 1960s and 70s, the world saw an unprecedented increase in tourist arrivals, particularly in Asia. Tourism has brought many benefits in the form of economic development and international exchange. At the same time, tourism has increased pressure on the environment, on local communities, and on cultural assets.

However, heritage conservation is not incompatible with sustainable tourism development. There must be a well-thought out management plan which covers both tourism development and conservation, which is followed by all. Sustainable culture tourism implies increased investment to maintain and/or invigorate the cultural resources on which the tourism is based. Financing for this needed increased investment in culture can and should be found within the profit margins of the tourism industry. Innovative public-private partnerships can be established to link conservation efforts to sustainable tourism development.

Although an increase in visitors to a site can bring economic benefits the increase in numbers of people is in itself problematic because of the additional stress it places on the already-fragile monuments. There is an upper limit to the number of visitors a historic/cultural site can receive at any one time without the site suffering permanent degradation or damage.

It is both desirable and possible to expand both the carrying capacity of a site and the touristic interest of a site by integrating intangible culture with the physical heritage. Investment in training and human resource development in the performing and other traditional arts is, therefore, good tourist economics. Personnel, drawn from the local community and trained in the in-depth presentation of a cultural site as well as in its maintenance is crucial to the successful development of cultural tourism as a sustainable business.

In the era of globalization, there has been a resurgence of appreciation and pride for local traditions. People are coming to realize that traditional solutions and methods which have evolved out of particular natural and social environments may be the best solution to some of the problems at hand. There may be some lessons learned from the Green Revolution of the 1970s, which led to the adoption of new farming methods instead of traditional systems, which have led to an increased dependence on expensive equipment and fertilizer, and have replace the self-sufficient agrarian lifestyle. from UNESCO Bankok

Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home & Presidential Library
2244 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, MS 39531
(800) 570-3818 | (228) 388-9074 | Fax (228) 388-7084
Beauvoir is the stunning home of the only President of the Confederate States of America and the place where he penned his memoirs. The 51 acre estate, fronting the Gulf of Mexico.

Biloxi Historical Walking Tour
710 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, 39530
(228) 374-3105 | Fax (228) 435-6248 Self-guided walking tour begins at the Visitors Center and takes you strolling through historic Biloxi where you will see sites that date as far back as 1830.

Biloxi Lighthouse
P O Box 508, Highay 90 & Porter Ave; Biloxi, 39533
(228) 435-6308 | Fax (228) 435-6211
The Biloxi Lighthouse was erected in 1848.

Biloxi Visitors Center
710 Beach Blvd; Biloxi, 39530
(228) 374-3105 | Fax (228) 435-6248
Located in the historic Breilmaier house circa 1895. Hostesses can provide information, brochures and discounts on area attractions. Open Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm, Sat 9:00am to 4:30pm

Fort Massachusetts/Gulf Islands National Seashore
3500 Park Rd; Ocean Springs, 39564
(228) 875-9057 | Fax (228) 872-2954
Ship Island, one of the most popular island destinations for visitors, is approximately 12 miles offshore. It is host to Fort Massachusetts. Confederate soldiers occupied Fort Massachusetts

Gulfport Centennial Museum
1419 27th Ave, Train Station; Gulfport, MS 39502
(228) 868-5849 | Fax (228) 868-5800
Contains hundreds of photographs and artifacts detailing Gulfport's growth over the past 100 years.

WWII/USS Tullibee Memorial
370 Bienville Blvd; Ocean Springs, 39564
(228) 497-6559
Honoring 79 sumariners from the USS Tullibee who perished on March 26, 1944 with one lone survivor. One side of this Memorial lists the names of all who perished.

Houston Gulf Coast Railroad Museum
7390 Mesa Rd
Houston TX 77028-3520
Mission Statement:
To preserve, enjoy and share with the public the memory, history and experience of railroading, particularly Texas railroading, as it has been and as it is now.

Museum of the Gulf Coast
701 Fourth Street in Port Arthur, Texas
The Museum of the Gulf Coast combines conventional and an unconventional approach to tell the exciting story of the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast region. Traditional themes are utilized in interpreting the focus of Gulf Coast life before the arrival of man, the role of Native Americans, European contact, Hispanic legacy, the trauma of Civil War, economic and cultural growth, and the integration of the Gulf Coast region into the larger national and international community.

Fort Morgan
22 miles west of Gulf Shores on State Highway 180 West
Grounds and fort open 8-7 June through September; 8-5 October through February and 8-6 March through May. The museum is open weekdays 8-5, and Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, seasonal concession stand, restrooms,
More: Living history program is conducted daily during the summer. Candlelight fort tours are Tuesday evenings in the summer. Civil War reenactments are staged every five years during the first weekend in August.
Information: 251-540-7125

Fort Gaines
Open 9-5 (9-6 during Daylight Savings Time). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: $3 adults, $1 children 5-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, snack shop, restrooms.
More: Reenactments are staged on various days October- May.
Information: 251-861-6992

Mobile Bay Ferry
Ferry typically departs every 90 minutes, but schedules vary. It’s best to call first. Dauphin Island’s first run is at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 6:30 p.m.; The ferry from Ft. Morgan runs 8:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Cost: walk-on, one-way: $2 per person; walk-on round-trip: $3 per person; car, one-way: $15; car, round-trip: $23; motor home, one-way: $25
Information: 251-540-7787

Gulf Shores Museum
Open Tuesday - Friday 10-noon and 1-5:00 p.m. and 10-2 on Saturdays
Cost: Free
More: Explore the coastal past of fishing and hurricanes as you enjoy a diversity of other attention-grabbing exhibits. Make time to take a stroll in the outdoor garden and enjoy the resident birds and butterflies.
Information: 251-967-4733

Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Open Tuesday – Friday 9-11:30, 12-4 p.m. and Saturday 9-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
More: This former church and school is now the home for numerous historic seagoing and Indian artifacts. Take pleasure as you learn from the visual portrait it paints of our coastal heritage.
Information: 251-981-8545

Acadian Village
The grounds of this Acadian Village feature eight authentic Acadian houses dating back to 1800, as well as a replica of a historic general store.
Address: 200 Greenleaf Drive Lafayette LA USA 70506

Crystal Rice Plantation
Founded in 1890, this family owned and operated plantation offers agricultural tours describing the seeding, harvesting and processing of rice and crawfish. A collection of 21 automobiles and a Piper Cub airplane are also on display.
Address: 6428 Airport Road Crowley LA USA 70526

Cypress Manor and Mardi Gras Collection Museum
The Mardi Gras Collection Museum is housed inside Cypress Manor, a historic home built in 1907. A variety of Mardi Gras costumes and memorabilia are on display. Children under five years of age are admitted free.
Address: 715 Second St. Morgan City LA USA 70380

E.D. White Plantation Home - Louisiana State Museum
Located on the banks of Bayou Lafourche near Thibodaux, this historic plantation home dates anywhere from the late 18th century to the 1830s. Due to contrasting architectural features it is difficult to determine the exact age of the home. The house provides an example of the raised cottage design popular in southern Louisiana prior to the Civil war.
Address: 2295 LA. Hwy 1 Thibodeaux LA USA 70301

Grevemberg House Museum
This historic home, built in 1851, passed through a number of families before it was sold to the City of Franklin in 1948. The home features a number of historic items, including Civil War artefacts.
Address: 407 Sterling Rd Franklin LA USA 70538

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Six separate sites which highlight different features of Louisiana culture and natural resources, such as the Battle of New Orleans site, and the nature and culture of the swamp region. There are visitor centers at each location, and no admission fees.
Address: 365 Canal Street, Suite 2400 New Orleans LA 70130-1142

* Location #2: Acadian Cultural Center, Lafayette Tel:318 232-0789
* Location #3: Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, Eunice Tel:337 262-6862
* Location #4: Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, Thibodaux Tel:504 448-1375
* Location #5: Barataria Preserve, Marrero Tel:504 589-2330
* Location #6: Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, Chalmette Tel:504 589-4430

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(image by Carl Heilman)