Coastal Research and Extension Center

The Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC) serves as Mississippi State University's "Southern Exposure." It links residents of South Mississippi, one of Mississippi's major population centers, and Mississippi's Land Grant University, Mississippi State University. CREC’s mission is to conduct research and educational programs aimed at fostering a better understanding and use of renewable and non-renewable resources in South Mississippi. Its applied research and educational programs on biological, physical, and social systems focus on enhancing the quality of life of residents of the state of Mississippi and other Gulf states. Its educational and outreach programs apply the talents of the state's Land Grant University to problems unique to South Mississippi and the Upper Gulf of Mexico.

Through an extensive system of advisory committees, established in each county in the southern part of the state, and through input from local, state, and federal agencies as well as from a broad range of industry organizations, the CREC develops and secures funding for research projects primarily focusing on a better understanding and use of renewable natural resources. These research programs are never undertaken without an implicit understanding that this information must be beneficial for the residents of South Mississippi and must have a positive impact on their quality of life. As with other Research and Extension Center's the CREC combines the strengths of the Mississippi Agricultural Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and the Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES).