From Mississippi’s stunning wilderness barrier islands to the Nature Coast of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico is home to some of the most amazing seashores in the nation, but many of these special places are under threat from offshore oil and gas development. For years oil and gas industry lobbyists, and their friends in government, have been working to open up Florida’s coast to drilling, and right now GRN and our allies are fighting in the courts to keep rigs out of Mississippi’s coastal waters. We need your help in this fight. Donate today to help protect the Gulf’s special places from drilling.Every year, millions of people from around the country visit Gulf Islands National Seashore, a national park which includes several barrier islands along Mississippi and Florida’s coasts. These visitors help fuel the Gulf’s vibrant tourism industry. Now, the state of Mississippi wants to put gas rigs right off the coast of these pristine, wilderness islands. It wouldn’t be okay to put a drilling rig in the middle of Yellowstone Park, and it’s not okay to do it here in the Gulf. Click here to donate to our effort to protect these pristine coastlines.The Gulf has long been the nation’s energy sacrifice zone – providing the nation with 25% of its domestic oil – while bearing the brunt of environmental impacts from oil and gas developments. We do our part for the nation’s energy security, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to drill anywhere, anytime. Places like Mississippi’s wilderness islands are amazing ecological gems that families have been visiting for generations to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We need your help to protect these special places for future generations.Cynthia Sarthou is GRN’s Executive Director. Offshore drilling appeal ends; decision up to MDA’s Brent Christensen, Associated Press, August 10th, 2012.
