LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center is uniquely situated within the coastal landscape and is close to the gateways of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers. But our research programs span coastal and marine systems: from the brackish Barataria Bay, across the coastal ocean and its intersection with the Mississippi River, to the open Gulf of Mexico, and in oceans all over the globe. Our mission is to increase society’s awareness of coastal and ocean issues important to Louisiana. Our educators provide excellent scholastic experiences for all ages to better understand the natural and human-influenced processes affecting coastal Louisiana’s landscape and resources. We train the next generation of problem solvers and researchers through place-based and skill-based research experiences.