Cleaning up the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico takes lots of hands — and lots of money. Volunteers are needed to scrub oil off turtles and birds, scoop oil off beaches, and monitor wetlands for damage. Groups managing clean-up efforts need more financial support so they can try to minimize the terrible consequences of 60,000 gallons of oil a day being pumped into the region from the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded two months ago.
Here’s a list of groups that need your help. If you’re already volunteering in person, please let us know where you’re working and what you’re doing.
If you can send money, these groups sure could use it:
Gulf Restoration Network – Sign up to volunteer or donate, and send a message to BP.
Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund – 100 percent of all donations to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund will be granted to organizations working tirelessly in the effected areas. Their specific focus is to help fishermen and their families in the following Louisiana parishes: Plaquemines, St. Bernard, lower Jefferson, Terrebonne, and Lafourche.
Gulf Coast Fund – The Fund is giving grants directly to local environmental and community groups working to clean up the damage and document the impact the disaster is having on wetlands, shore birds, marine life, and the families living in the area.
International Bird Rescue Research Center – A team of 40 bird rescue specialists (see photo, above) has been deployed to the Gulf Coast disaster site to help rescue seabirds caught in the oil.
Text to Give – Mad Mobile and mGive have partnered to make it easy to donate to The Waterkeepers Alliance and SaveOurGulf.org. Text GULF to 50555 to donate $10; 100 percent of donations will support the efforts these groups are making to reduce the impacts of the oil on wetlands and wildlife.
