Part of the Graveline Bayou Coastal Preserve system
The Whitehead property is officially part of the Graveline Bayou Coastal Preserve system in Jackson County. Specifically, it is a significant tract known as the Graveline Bayou-Whitehead addition, which was a high-priority acquisition for local conservation groups.
Walking into the preserve is like walking into the past, nature has returned after hurricanes erasing most sigh of man. Huge Live Oak, southern moss, giant ferns, and all sorts of native plants and animals.
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The acquisition was spearheaded by the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain (LTMCP) in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Coastal Preserves Program. While the broader Graveline Bayou area has long been recognized for its ecological importance, this specific tract was part of a recent effort to expand protected coastal habitats and provide public access.
Key Features and Context
- Location & Composition: The preserve area is located near Ocean Springs and Gautier, consisting of hundreds of acres of tidal marsh, wet pine savanna, and estuarine wetlands.
- Ecological Significance: As part of the Graveline Bayou system, it serves as a critical “crucial coastal wetlands habitat.” These areas are vital for storm surge protection, water filtration, and providing nursery grounds for marine life.
- Management: The land is managed through a partnership between the MDMR and the Secretary of State’s office. The Coastal Preserves Program focuses on restoring native ecosystems and managing invasive species to maintain the area’s natural integrity.
- Public Access: While many coastal preserves are primarily for habitat protection, recent acquisitions like the Whitehead tract are often integrated into the state’s mission to promote public appreciation through compatible recreation, such as birding and nature photography.
Given the recent nature of its opening, specific trail maps or formal facility listings may still be in development by the MDMR. If you are planning a visit, it is often grouped under the broader management of the Graveline Bayou Coastal Preserve.
But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964)