Protecting the Environment
The environmental impacts from this spill will likely be felt for years to come. Want to know how you can do your part to help wildlife and the Gulf environment?
Watch for Oil Coming Ashore
If you live near the impacted waterways, watch for signs of change on your beaches and estuaries.
• Report oiled wildlife by calling: 1-866-557-1401
• Report oiled shoreline by calling: 1-866-448-5816
Volunteer to Help Clean Up
Always heed local warnings from public health officials!
• Volunteers should not attempt to clean impacted beaches themselves or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife on their own. Touching unrefined oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly will cause additional environmental damage. Note also that distressed wildlife may become aggressive and cause harm to you.
• Do not trespass on closed beaches; even leaving your footprints behind may cause oil to spread creating environmental damage.
For those who want to clean litter from the beaches before oil comes ashore:
• Use approved access points.
• Stay below the tidal line.
• Leave natural debris in place as it often provides valuable nesting benefits to shorebirds and other wildlife.
• Do not place debris in the dunes or above the high water line.
• Don’t use equipment such as rakes, shovels or tractors.
• Leave dogs at home (dogs are a primary source of beach bird disturbance and mortality).
Once the oil makes landfall anyone interested in volunteering will likely need to attend a four-hour course in health and safety for handling petroleum contaminated materials. To find volunteer opportunities in your area call: 1-866-448-5816 or visit: http://oilspillvolunteers.com/
• Louisiana: http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/
• Mississippi: http://www.volunteermississippi.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
• Florida: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
• Alabama: http://www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx
Donate
While BP is ultimately responsible for the clean-up costs, local groups on the ground don’t have the resources they need immediately to make a difference. Consider supporting a local conservation group in their efforts to respond to the spill.
• Tristate Bird Rescue and Research http://www.tristatebird.org/
• Greater New Orleans Foundation http://www.gnof.org/disaster-on-the-gulf-coast/
