April 30, 2010

Message to All Audubon Staff – Gulf Coast Oil Spill

As Audubon ramps up to respond to the oil spill disaster in the Gulf, we wanted to be sure you were aware of information, resources and actions that are underway.

1. An alert on how people can help has been sent to the activist list.
2. Similar information has also been sent to all chapters
3. On the Audubon home page, two home buttons will allow visitors to donate or lead them to a “how you can help” page that includes a link to a registration form for would-be volunteers, a further donation option, and our current alert on expanded oil drilling and additional information.

These options can also be accessed directly:

For volunteer sign-up: www.audubonaction.org/SpillResponse

To learn how to help: www.audubonaction.org/howtohelp

You can also send people directly to Audubon.org. The spill-response buttons will be prominent.

Staff in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida are already working with local officials and conservation colleagues to recruit and coordinate volunteers, to keep well-meaning people out of harm’s way, and to monitor impacts and assure that protective measures are in place at fragile habitats—especially globally significant Important Bird Areas.

Staff members have received widespread media coverage, alerting the public of the threats to migratory and coastal birds as the oil heads for toward fragile shorelines. For hundreds species such as the Brown Pelican—just removed from the Endangered Species List, to other marsh and beach-nesting birds and a host of migratory species, the danger is real. The need to act is urgent and a concerned public is looking to Audubon to lead the way.

Central to our response is to keep working the effective conservation plans already in place for the Gulf Region. Our efforts involve protecting and rebuilding healthy habitat that will become even more vital as other areas are damaged by oil. Our focus on Important Bird Areas will continue to guide us in protecting the habitats that imperiled species need most. Today, our efforts to promote safer energy policies got a boost when the President agreed to delay new off-shore drilling until the cause of this tragedy is fully investigated. But Audubon will need to continue its push for renewable energy that is cleaner and safer.