BUSINESS Exploring the hidden treasures of the Gulf Coast Sunday, September 16, 2007 By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER -- Capt. Kathy Wilkinson said with each boating excursion she provides to nature enthusiasts, she learns just as much as those she's guiding through the river she calls, "The hidden gem of the Gulf Coast." "I never go out on the Pascagoula River when I don't learn something," Wilkinson said. "Maybe from the people I'm guiding or just a new nature experience. I always learn something new and that's the way I want it. I could never learn all there is to know out there." Wilkinson owns and operates Eco-Tours and is the only licensed female Coast Guard captain providing ecotourism boating excursions throughout the Pascagoula River and its surrounding bayous and swamps. She offers a nature and heritage tour that explains the colorful, local history and legends of the river and Jackson County. She also points out the variety of wildlife species that call the river home. "I love to share the hidden wealth of nature we have right here," Wilkinson said. "If we can show people then they can understand why it's so important to protect it. When people read about the Pascagoula River they can be sympathetic to our effort to protect it, but when they actually see it -- it makes a great impression on them." Wilkinson said throughout her tours she and her guests frequently spot a variety of the 327 bird species that live on the Coast, as well as, alligators, raccoons, fiddler crabs, mullet, turtles, alligator gar, otters, possum and numerous other wildlife. She said she implements a "leave no trace" policy and does not allow feeding the wildlife. Springtime is Wilkinson's favorite season on the water because she said it's the perfect time to observe numerous wildflowers in bloom. "The vegetation is just amazing," Wilkinson said. "I love the surprises each season offers, but I love the color of spring." She said she tells her guests about the different kinds of marsh the river, swamps and bayous have and its purpose. She offers cold drinks and provides ponchos on cloudy days in case of an unexpected rain shower. Wilkinson mainly leaves from Gautier City Park, but said she can pick up guests anywhere on the river. Wilkinson has been running the boat tour business on the weekends for almost two years and Mark LaSalle, director of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, said he wishes she would provide tours full-time. "Ecotourism is an economic engine that can help us not just recover from the hurricane, but propel us forward," LaSalle said. "Ecotourism is about a rich and diverse area, which is exactly what we have right here in the Pascagoula River and the surrounding bayous and swamps. The tours are what it's all about. People choosing to go out and observe nature." LaSalle said the Pascagoula River is the last large unimpeded river in the United States and there are similar smaller areas all across Mississippi. "They are all wonderful places to enjoy," LaSalle said. "Really high quality, natural areas attract tourists who bring with them money that they spend locally." LaSalle said Wilkinson's touring business is a nice complement to her competitors, McCoy's River and Marsh Tours. "Kathy can take up to six people," LaSalle said. "The McCoys can take up to 25 so they complement each other nicely. Both Kathy and the McCoy brothers are certified Audubon master naturalists, too. They all went through our certification program." Capt. Benny McCoy said he and his brother, Lynn, have been running boating tours similar to Wilkinson's for six years. McCoy agreed with Wilkinson and said the Pascagoula River is a pristine natural resource in need of protection. "It's a treasure," McCoy said. "And you'd be shocked at the people who live here, drive over it everyday and don't see its beauty." LaSalle said he would love to see 15 or more ecotourism tours in Jackson County and would like the entire Gulf Coast to take advantage of the opportunities nature tours provides. Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. For more details about Eco-Tours Visit ecotoursofsouthmississippi.com or call Kathy Wilkinson at (228) 297-8687