About Us

The Birdsfoot Delta of the Mississippi River is a vital yet rapidly changing region. It is home to historic communities, thriving ecosystems, and a key transportation hub that facilitates over $400 million in commerce daily. However, this unique landscape is disappearing, both above and below water, threatening local communities, ecosystems, and global trade routes.

To address these challenges, the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative (MissDelta) was launched as a $22 million, five-year research effort funded by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). MissDelta brings together 38 experts from 14 universities and institutions to explore the future of the Birdsfoot Delta and help stakeholders—from local communities to industry and government—prepare for the changes ahead.

MissDelta is dedicated to understanding how the delta is changing and developing strategies for adaptation. However, this project also tackles another challenge: the lack of diversity and career development in coastal science and engineering. The Gulf Coast has one of the largest African American college student populations in the U.S., yet only one regional minority-serving institution (Jackson State University) offers a coastal science degree. MissDelta aims to expand opportunities for persons from this region to fully engage as scholars in this work and expand regional representation in its research community.  

MissDelta follows a co-production model, where scientists, industry leaders, government officials, and community members work together to guide research and decision-making. This ensures that solutions are not just scientifically sound but also practical and relevant to those most affected by change.