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Date: June 15, 2009
Contact: Gail Bishop, 850-934-2618
Contact: Susan Blair, 228-875-9057

“Gulf Islands National Seashore offers programs three days a week during the month of July at the Davis Bayou Area in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and every day at Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island,” states Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. “Our schedule this month includes more Junior Rangers and Sea Star programs on Wednesdays and Saturdays for children and programs for all ages on Sunday afternoons.” On Wednesday, July 1 and Saturday, July 4, at 10:00 a.m., Junior Rangers will learn about marine life in our coastal waters. Learn characteristics of fish and wrap up the day making fish prints to take home. Sea Stars will learn about life in our oceans and create a take-home craft. Junior Rangers will meet at Pavilion 4 and Sea Stars will meet at Pavilion 2. On Sunday, July 5th at 2:00 p.m., join a ranger for a one hour program at the Visitor Center to learn about the vibrant American Indian cultures that have lived in Mississippi for over 10,000 years. Hear about the Green Corn Ceremony, the Little Brother of War, hunting and gathering, fishing and farming, a trade network stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, and more. At the Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 8 and Saturday, July 11, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Junior Rangers will discover the food chain of Davis Bayou through the “Breakfast on the Bayou” program. Have you ever wrinkled your nose at the smell of the salt marsh at low tide? That aroma is the basis of the fertile food chain that eventually leads to the seafood on our plates. Bayou soup, did you say? Salt marsh salad? Delicious! Sea Stars will also learn about animals at Davis Bayou and create a take home project. On Sunday, July 12th, at 2:00 p.m meet at the Visitor to find out about the amazing pilots, known as the Hurricane Hunters from Keesler Air Force Base. Their daring flights through the eye of a hurricane, provide information used by the National Hurricane Center to make predictions about the size, strength, and future path of the hurricane On Wednesday, July 15 and Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m., Junior Rangers will learn about life as soldier stationed on Ship Island during the Civil War. During the “To Be a Ship Island Soldier” program, Junior Rangers will learn the Civil War rifle drill and experience daily life of soldiers in this historically based activity. Junior Rangers will meet at Pavilion 4. Sea Stars will meet nearby at Pavilion 2 to hear a children’s story and create a take-home project. Space is limited to 25 and required sign-up begins July 1. On Sunday, July 19th, at 2:00 p.m. in the visitor center, join a ranger for Summer Backpacking Basics. Beat the heat and crowds by getting away from the concrete and into the backcountry. This workshop will teach the basics of clothing and gear selection and backcountry safety at national parks around the nation. On Wednesday, July 22 and Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m., Junior Rangers will join a park ranger for a Discovery Walk to talk about trees, plants, and animal habitat. Sea Stars will play a game of “I Spy” and create a nature craft project to take home. Both groups will meet at Pavilion 4. On Sunday, July 26th, at 2:00 p.m., join guest speaker Christina Mohrman of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for an Introduction to Terrapins. This talk will give a general introduction to terrapins (turtles that live in brackish water), habitat, threats, and what people can do to help ensure their survival. Learn more about terrapins living in the brackish waters of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Passenger ferry services depart from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor at the intersection of U.S. Highways 90 and 49. Contact Ship Island Excursions at (228) 864-1014 for more information about ferry service to West Ship Island. Guided 30 – 40 minute Fort Massachusetts Tours on West Ship Island are available. Tours will be offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Tour times are approximate and may vary with the arrival of the ferry. Learn why Fort Massachusetts was built on Ship Island and what it was protecting. The Gulf Islands Visitor Center is located off U.S. Highway 90 East in Ocean Springs. The William M. Colmer Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Gulf Islands National Seashore and programs offered, call 228-875-9057 ext. 4100 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/guis. NPS