This is an updated, reposted diary that I think is important to repost so people know what they can do to help. I know there has been some problems with the volunteer efforts but there are a lot of organizations contributing to this cleanup who could use our help. If I have broken any rules by reposting please let me know and I will delete. Please keep our mothership afloat here.
We are all feeling the pain of what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf coast. We have seen the images of animals struggling for life and heard the stories of fishermen and members of coastal communities talking about how the spill has changed their lives forever. If you're like me you have also felt completely helpless.
The wonderful thing is there are lots of things we can do to help. Many organizations are asking for donations, volunteers and wish lists of things they need. We don't need to feel helpless, we can help.
This is our chance to show the stuff the great community of DKOS is made of. This is our chance to help. Please see the various ways you can help below the jump.
Updated: This community just made the rec list! Yaaay! Let the healing begin. I've always believed the greatest way to conquer anger and fear is by helping.
A Great Urgency: To All World Religious and Spiritual Leaders,
by Chief Arvol Looking Horse
May 14, 2010
My Relatives,
Time has come to speak to the hearts of our Nations and their Leaders. I ask you this from the bottom of my heart, to come together from the Spirit of your Nations in prayer.
We, from the heart of Turtle Island, have a great message for the World; we are guided to speak from all the White Animals showing their sacred color, which have been signs for us to pray for the sacred life of all things.
As I am sending this message to you, many Animal Nations are being threatened, those that swim, those that crawl, those that fly, and the plant Nations, eventually all will be affect from the oil disaster in the Gulf.
The dangers we are faced with at this time are not of spirit. The catastrophe that has happened with the oil spill which looks like the bleeding of Grandmother Earth, is made by human mistakes, mistakes that we cannot afford to continue to make.
I ask, as Spiritual Leaders, that we join together, united in prayer with the whole of our Global Communities. My concern is these serious issues will continue to worsen, as a domino effect that our Ancestors have warned us of in their Prophecies.
I know in my heart there are millions of people that feel our united prayers for the sake of our Grandmother Earth are long overdue. I believe we as Spiritual people must gather ourselves and focus our thoughts and prayers to allow the healing of the many wounds that have been inflicted on the Earth. As we honor the Cycle of Life, let us call for Prayer circles globally to assist in healing Grandmother Earth (our Unc'I Maka).
We ask for prayers that the oil spill, this bleeding, will stop. That the winds stay calm to assist in the work. Pray for the people to be guided in repairing this mistake, and that we may also seek to live in harmony, as we make the choice to change the destructive path we are on.
As we pray, we will fully understand that we are all connected. And that what we create can have lasting effects on all life.
So let us unite spiritually, All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer. Along with this immediate effort, I also ask to please remember June 21st, World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites day. Whether it is a natural site, a temple, a church, a synagogue or just your own sacred space, let us make a prayer for all life, for good decision making by our Nations, for our children's future and well-being, and the generations to come.
Onipikte (that we shall live),
Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
To report oiled wildlife, please call 1-866-557-1401.
To discuss oil related damage, please call 1-800-440-0858.
To report oiled shoreline or to request volunteer information, please call 1-866-448-5816
Contribute or adopt a bird to the International Bird Rescue Research Center
Buy a tie for your favorite Dad
Save Our Seabirds has a wish list of things they need
Donations to Protect Our Coastline go to fishermen and shrimpers
Put your needlecraft talents to good use by supplying the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies with knitted/crocheted or sewn towels to aid in their efforts in caring for and cleaning oiled marine mammals.
One New Orleans jeweler is giving 25% of the proceeds of one of their pendants to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. That's a great idea!
Street Giant is selling tee shirts stating that all proceeds from these satirical shirts will be given to healthygulf.org
ALL salons, groomers, alpaca and llama fleece farmers, individuals, & pet owners... can sign up to donate hair, fur, fleece, feathers, nylons and funding here
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary also has a wish list here
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research needs donations
The Greater New Orleans Foundation has set up the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund and needs donations here
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade has set up an Oil Spill Crisis Map and way to report endangered wildlife here
iPhone users in the Gulf can download the Noah Project's app to document distressed animals and the spill's impact on wildlife
More information about Noah here
The EPA is looking for ideas from all you brilliant engineers and experts here
Buy Dawn dishwashing detergent! $1.00 from every bottle will go towards the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Activate your donation here.
The Institute For Marine Mammal Studies needs donations
In Bradenton, FL, two local restaurants are joining a nationwide campaign to raise money for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
Bradenton.com
Donate to the Natural Resources Defense Council
Donate to Direct Relief International
Donate to Second Harvest Food Bank
Donate to The Community Center of St. Bernard
Check out the Everyday Wildlife Champions Facebook page
Support the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program
Support The Marine Mammal Center
David and Goliath take on the Gulf oil spill, buy a tee shirt here!
The Southern Mutual Help Association is helping Louisiana fishermen here
Contribute to EarthShare here
Contribute to GreaterGood.org here
Contribute to Environmental Defense Fund here
Contribute to the World Bird Sanctuary here
There are a number of good ideas on how to help sea turtles here
Help manatees here
Go out to eat! Restaurants across America contributing to The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
Ideas for helping to save sharks can be found here
Become an e-activist and donate to Global Green USA here
Oxfam America is helping with financial assistance and oil spill cleanup, donate here
Contribute to The National Park Foundation here
Add your voice to Defenders of Wildlife Action Center's call to the President to stop offshore drilling now!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a highly respected organization, has put out a call for birdwatchers to add their observations about healthy and oiled birds to eBird. More info here
Donate GPS Units and Other Supplies to NWF's Gulf Coast Surveillance Teams. Information is here
Colbert Nation Gulf of America Fund is here
Donate $10 or more to The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center, get the confirmation for your donation and receive one of the beautiful sketchcards available on this site
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - A Southwest Florida based Coast Guard crew is now participating in the clean up of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
On Sunday a crew from the Coast Guard cutter Marlin set sail on a two-week deployment.
The crew will provide logistical support and serve as a platform for scientific research.
The Coast Guard Cutter Marlin is also an 87-foot coastal patrol boat. It will provide logistical support and serve as a platform for scientific research.
"To actually be able to participate in this operation definitely means a lot," said Lt. Jeff West, Marlin's commanding officer. "Watching everything transpire on television and being fairly close to it, we've been biting at the bit to get involved."
The Marlin's crew is one of many deployed to the Gulf of Mexico in support of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. Since the April 20 oil rig explosion that resulted in the loss of 11 lives, the nation's eyes have been focused on the operation. The Coast Guard is but one organization involved in the unified response and its people remain determined and ready for whatever challenges may arise.
Read it here
Oil ends life on the water for Gulf boat captain
By JAY REEVES (AP) – 5 hours ago
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Grounded by oil, the charter boat owner along Alabama's Gulf Coast known as Capt. Bligh walks past an old first mate.
"Arrrrrrgh," Bligh growls like a pirate. He has beard like Santa Claus and a belt with saltwater fish embroidered in the webbing. Hardly anyone calls him by his real name, Brent Shaver. A lot of people don't even know it.
Earlier this month, Shaver began a scary season — one without fishing. He had to shut down his inshore guide business after oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill made it through a pass into Perdido Bay, about 100 miles north of the rig site. Rust-colored tar balls now stain its sandy shores.
Read the rest of one Captain's story here
Volunteer at:
For those who want to volunteer. There is required training.
Volunteer Events
BP Spill Response Training (PEC/Premier Safety Management)
Click "See schedule" to see the class schedule & locations in PDF format.
"Thank you for your interest in participating in the clean-up effort of the recent BP oil spill. We, PEC, have been contracted by BP to conduct the BP Spill Response training for those employed to perform the clean-up as well as wildlife recovery groups, paraprofessionals, and local officials/emergency response who will be involved. This is a one-day (4 hour) general orientation class for the specific purpose of dealing with this oil spill. The course covers what to expect in the field, potentially dangerous environments, and overall health safety. This course does not include specific training on cleanup activities or the handling and care of/for oiled wildlife.
"There is no cost to you for this training. Attached you will find a schedule of our upcoming classes. Please write to this email, HorizonResponse@pecpremier.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , to let us know the location, date, and time of the class you’re interested in attending. Be sure to put "confirmation code 2664" in the subject line of the email. Pending availability we will register you for the class. You will then receive a registration confirmation email that also includes event details from Eventbrite.com.
"Please take note that once you have completed this training we will not be able to assign you to any volunteer position or employment with BP. However, this training will be required for you to work or volunteer in all projects related to the oil spill. All volunteer efforts and employment opportunities are being coordinated by BP, volunteer organizations, and wildlife recovery groups. We are contracted by BP solely to provide the necessary and required training to anyone who will be involved in those efforts.
Information and training schedule are here
Louisiana Gulf Response
The Coalition To Restore Coastal Louisiana
The National Wildlife Federation
The National Audubon Society
The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
Some More Great Ideas For Volunteering Here
Oil Spill Volunteers
Save Our Seabirds is also seeking volunteers
Alabama Coastal Foundation
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Volunteer Florida
Volunteer Louisiana
Volunteer Mississippi
Serve Alabama
Write to President Obama and your representatives:
Oceana Take Action
Audubon Action Center
Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation Action Center
The Huffington Post Is Scheduling Meetups. See if there is one in your area or start one:
Huffington Post Meetups
Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Collection Report