The wide variety of marine life and the many uses of the Gulf of Mexico will be the topic of an Evening @ Skidaway program on Tuesday, March 14. In a talk titled “The Gulf of Mexico: A Confluence of Life,” UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist Adam Greer will call on his years of conducting research in the Gulf to explore its many facets, from the large rivers that feed it to the long-dead plankton that form the oil we burn. 

“The Gulf of Mexico is beautiful and biologically productive yet heavily influenced by human activity,” Greer said. “Because freshwater runoff from rivers is the lifeblood of the Gulf, our activities on land have a profound influence on its characteristics, especially close to shore. 

“Throughout this talk, we will learn about the processes that threaten the Gulf but also what makes it so productive and resilient. Along the way, we will see how the past, present, and future of the Gulf exemplifies our close connection to the ocean.” 

The program will be presented to an in-person audience as well as on-line. The in-person program will be presented in the McGowan Library on the UGA Skidaway Marine Science Campus. (10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411) The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7 p.m.