The qualities that attract us to the Mobile Bay area are largely related to the wide range of habitats found in such a relatively small area. Soft sediments, seagrass beds, barrier island dune and inter-dune wetland swales, fresh and saltwater marshes, pitcher plant bogs, bottomland hardwood forests, wet pine savannas, and upland pine-oak forests are all found within the Mobile Bay NEP study area. It is this wealth of habitat that has contributed to the biodiversity that distinguishes our region and draws residents and visitors to the coast.

While some natural sources are responsible for alterations to habitat, fragmentation and loss of natural habitats are largely consequences of population growth, land use conversion, shoreline hardening, and run off issues. Just as the natural ecosystem around us is complex and interdependent, so are the social and economic issues related to the use of our surroundings. A primary goal of the MBNEP is to minimize our impact on the habitats around us while also maintaining our quality of life. We can only accomplish this by first understanding the consequences of our actions and then planning to minimize our impact on natural habitats or restoring or rehabilitating those that have been previously altered.  

If you would like to become involved with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, please call (251) 431-6409 or e-mail us.