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Gautier is in an outstanding region of the country to observe and enjoy the environment. But there are also some negative aspects to Mother Nature. Things to be aware of include:Sandhill Crane Refuge: The Mississippi Sandhill Crane is a bird on the Endangered Species list. Gautier is the home of a 20,000 acre sanctuary for the cranes which is run by the U.S. Department of Interior. You can take a tour of the Refuge by calling 228-497-6322. Please note that since birds can fly they do not stay on the refuge but can also be found in ditches alongside roads looking for food as well as in other sparsely populated areas. If you see a Sandhill Crane, please leave it alone-- to harm one is a Federal Crime! Waterfront Property: Gautier sits on the West Bank of the Pascagoula River and has the most waterfront property of any city on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. To help control erosion, please observe "No Wake" signs if you are boating in the bayous (small rivers) that feed into the river. Pascagoula River: Known as the "Singing River" due to the mysterious tone that can be heard on quiet nights. The Pascagoula River is the largest unaltered river system in North America meaning that it has no dams and there has been no large scale dredging of the river. It is home to hundreds of varieties of birds and other exotic and endangered species. Hurricanes: May to November is the hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico and hurricanes are a real threat to your safety. You must plan ahead for your quick evacuation. Where will you go? What will you take with you (picture albums, etc.)? Electricity will be out for a while so how will you light your house and where will your water come from for drinking, cooking, and bathing? Military personnel may have to stay while their families evacuate. All of these factors must be considered before the evacuation orders are given. Most locals develop both a Hurricane Plan and a Hurricane Kit of necessary supplies. For more information, CLICK HERE. Snakes: America has four types of poisonous snakes and all four can be found on the Mississippi Coast. As Gautier becomes more populated and built up there seems to be fewer reported encounters but due to the proximity of the marshes there will always be snakes in the area. You should teach your children not to assume that any snake is a "Good Snake" that can be played with. You can learn more from the J.L. Scott Museum in Biloxi (228-374-5550) which has all of these snakes on display. Alligators: Unless you have lived on America's Gulf Coast, you are unlikely to have ever had to consider this creature as anything but a prop on television nature shows. Once again Gautier offers a form of wildlife that is best when left alone. They live in the bayous and are a hazard to boating (and swimming for that matter). It is unlikely that you will encounter one, but if you see one in your neighborhood you can call the Department of Marine Resources at 228-374-5000 and they will send a team to capture it and move it to a local wildlfe refuge. For your own safety you should never feed an alligator or try to wrestle with one. Again, your children should be taught the same. These are very dangerous animals that do little more than eat and sleep. They cannot tell the difference between the food you throw them and the hand that you throw it with. They are surprisingly quick and for that reason should not be approached for any reason by either yourself or your pets. If you want to see one safely you can visit the Alligator Farm on the east side of the county.
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