Gulf Restoration
Restoring the Gulf of Mexico and its Wild Inhabitants
The Gulf of Mexico is critically important to the health and vitality of our nation’s natural and economic resources. Over the last century, however, the Gulf’s environment has deteriorated significantly due to factors such as:
- Climate Change
- Sea-level rise
- Loss of critical wetlands and coastal habitats
- Decreasing water quality and quantity
- Invasive species
Natural disasters like hurricanes, and man-made disasters like oil spills, exacerbate the damage.
As a result, native fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are in decline, imperiling the very fabric that supports the area’s vibrant economy. In order to achieve a healthy Gulf of Mexico, the Service recognizes conservation must occur throughout the greater Gulf watershed. Society’s investment in the Gulf of Mexico will be at risk if we restore the coastal region but fail to address systemic problems that originate upstream.
Restoring this vital area will ensure America continues to thrive well into and beyond the 21st century.
Documents
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2018
Gulf Restoration After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Efforts of the U.S. Department of Interior and Partners in Mississippi
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2018
Gulf Restoration After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Efforts of the U.S. Department of Interior and Partners in Texas
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2018
National Wildlife Refuge System
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2018
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
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2018
Southeast Region snapshot
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2017
Roles relating to funds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
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2017
The Service's involvement in gulf restoration
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2017
Hurricane Maria
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2017
Hurricane Irma and sea turtles
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2017
Hurricane Irma
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2017
Gulf Restoration Funds: Did you know?
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2017
Gulf Restoration Projects: Did you know?
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2017
Gulf Restoration Vision: Did you know?
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2017
Next Steps for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed: Text-only Version
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2016
Deepwater Horizon Related Links
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2016
Next Steps for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed: Overview
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2013
Vision for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed
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2013
Vision for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed
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Next Step for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Watershed
Press Releases
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Oct 3, 2017 | 3 minute read
How to manage 45 important coastal species in the face of environmental changes
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Sep 13, 2017 | 2 minute read
Irma leaves plenty of food and water for key deer
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Sep 13, 2017 | 2 minute read
Service crews head south
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Sep 12, 2017 | 3 minute read
Service assesses damage, starts cleanup
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Sep 11, 2017 | 2 minute read
Irma continues its assault on Southeast
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Sep 11, 2017 | 4 minute read
Key deer among many Florida Keys species facing Irma
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Sep 10, 2017 | 2 minute read
Irma reaches Florida, heads north
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Sep 9, 2017 | 2 minute read
Irma aims at Keys, Georgia, Alabama
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Sep 8, 2017 | 3 minute read
Fish and Wildlife Service responders bringing technology to aid Hurricane Irma response, bolster safety
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Sep 8, 2017 | 1 minute read
Public advisory on sea turtle nests and Hurricane Irma
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Sep 8, 2017 | 2 minute read
Service prepares for Hurricane Irma
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Sep 8, 2017 | 2 minute read
Tips for rebuilding
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Sep 7, 2017 | 4 minute read
Hurricane Irma: How we are responding
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May 18, 2017 | 3 minute read
Silver Lining: Gulf of Mexico Avian Monitoring Network
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Apr 11, 2017 | 3 minute read
Strategic conservation assessment will help guide gulf conservation
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Mar 30, 2017 | 4 minute read
Manatee reclassified from endangered to threatened as habitat improves and population expands - existing federal protections remain in place
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Aug 3, 2016 | 2 minute read
Service employees lead studies on toxic and physical effects of oil on birds
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Jun 1, 2016 | 5 minute read
Deepwater Horizon oil spill killed as many as 102,000 birds across 93 species
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Apr 6, 2016 | 3 minute read
Seeing the forest for the trees
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Nov 13, 2015 | 3 minute read
New report assesses the impacts of emerging threats on Gulf coast species and ecosystems
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Jul 8, 2010 | 3 minute read
Using sound science, the service addresses urgent habitat needs for birds and other wildlife along the Gulf coast
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Jul 2, 2010 | 3 minute read
Salazar unveils special edition duck stamp cachet public can purchase to support Gulf wildlife refuges
Stories
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Feb 6, 2019 | 4 minute read
Restoring a buffet for birds on North Breton Island
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Aug 3, 2018 | 2 minute read
Preconstruction monitoring activities kick off on North Breton Island Louisiana
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Jun 4, 2018 | 7 minute read
A shining example
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May 31, 2018 | 3 minute read
Meet the Gulf Restoration Office
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Mar 15, 2018 | 2 minute read
Bon Secour trail reopening underscores priority of access to public lands
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Feb 28, 2018 | 4 minute read
Sowing plants to reap dunes
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Jan 23, 2018 | 4 minute read
Woven from the Landscape
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Dec 13, 2017 | 7 minute read
The mouse that roared
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Nov 6, 2017 | 5 minute read
Moonlighting in Alabama
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Sep 17, 2017 | 9 minute read
A tiny town hit hard by Irma
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Sep 16, 2017 | 5 minute read
‘Lots of new help here,’ as recovery picks up and residents begin returning
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Sep 15, 2017 | 7 minute read
Service employees joining Irma response effort
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Sep 11, 2017 | 3 minute read
‘I had to do something’
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May 18, 2017 | 3 minute read
Oil spill funds help protect shorebird nesting and improve monarch butterfly habitat
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Nov 28, 2016 | 2 minute read
Tracking “Panther,” the swallow-tailed kite
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Apr 27, 2015 | 4 minute read
BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement funds migrate north
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Apr 20, 2015 | 2 minute read
Five things you need to know
Infographic
Learn more about what’s happening in your state: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas.
The Gulf of Mexico: Fast Facts
Detailed factsheets about Gulf restoration can be found here.
- More than 50% of the contiguous United States have rivers, creeks, and streams that eventually drain into the Gulf of Mexico.
- The Gulf of Mexico watershed includes 32 states that stretch from Montana to Florida, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.
- The Gulf of Mexico and its watershed are home to more than 500 federally listed species, of which more than 350 are endangered.
- Among the threatened and endangered species in the watershed are some of America’s most beloved and iconic species, such as sea turtles, manatees, whooping cranes and peregrine falcons.
- The natural resources in the five U.S. states bordering the Gulf are the foundation of a multi-billion dollar economic engine that employs more than eight million people and produces more than half of America’s crude oil and natural gas.
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) trend analyses from 1985 to 2010 show a wetland loss rate that, if it were to occur at a constant rate, would equate to Louisiana losing an area the size of one football field per hour.

Video from the Gulf
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a thousand pictures. Take a look at these videos highlighting our efforts to restore the priceless Gulf of Mexico. We hope you enjoy them and invite you to join us on our journey to restore the Gulf of Mexico.