The Gulf of Mexico Alliance
Lee Yokel

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a regional partnership among federal, state and other interests to address shared issues of coastal ecosystems.  A number of DISL staff have been involved in developing and addressing the Alliance’s Governors’ Action Plan.  In July 2006, the DISL received a grant from the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium to host the Alliance Environmental Education Coordinator, Lee Yokel.  The Alliance environmental education actions aim to contribute to building a Gulf stewardship ethic, strengthening the region’s science literacy, and empowering a new generation of informed leaders.  An early success of the education effort was establishing a working relationship with Meridian Institute of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative.  This collaboration is developing environmental messages that can be used with policymakers as well as other audiences.