We are choosing to support the ogranizations that will be less likely to receive funding, but who work on the ground with the birds and habitat directly impacted by the oil spill. We are including a few brief notes about what each of these recipients are doing, but we encourage you to become actively engaged, visit their websites, find out what they're doing. If you know of another organization actively engaged in the response to protect and preserve birds and habitat from the effects of the Deep Horizon Oil Spill, email David Hartley at .
Barataria Terrebonne Estuary Program | $11,000 »
– Video Link
BTNEP is actively involved in efforts to safe-guard Louisiana's precious wetlands from the potential impacts of the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. BTNEP is a partner for the current surveys of Wilson's Plovers and other colonial seabirds. They will also be involved with post-oil surveys to monitor impacts, including tracking nesting status of seabirds and waders.
The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established by Congress through section 320 of the Clean Water Act in 1987 and administrated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the National Estuary Program is to prevent activities that: threaten an estuary's public water supply, are harmful to shellfish, fish and wildlife populations, negatively impact recreational opportunities for estuary residents. Louisiana's Barataria and Terrebonne basins were nominated for participation in the EPA administered National Estuary Program on October 16, 1989. In his nomination letter, the Governor of Louisiana stated, "Louisiana faces a pivotal battle in the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuarine Complex if we are to do our part in winning the national war to stem the net loss of wetlands..."
LSU Bird Resource Center | $9000 »
The bird center has been involved with summer and winter bird atlas projects and will gear up for surveys with a direct focus on the effects of the Deep Horizon oil spill. They are focusing on birds and birding. Regarding the potential impact of oil in these delicate areas, Donna L. Dittmann, Collections Manager for LSU's Museum of Natural Science and LSU's Bird Resource Center, says, "Raccoon, at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, has a very large pelican colony as well as the largest surviving Royal and Sandwich tern colony in the state. One of the largest US colonies of Royal and Sandwich terns was on the southern islands in the Chandeleur chain until Hurricane Ivan in 2004 eliminated those islands whereas the terns may have been able to relocate to the main chain, H. Katrina destroyed beach habitat along the main Chandeleur chain during fall 2005. The southern islands were just beginning to recover this year and a smaller number of terns were on those islands (at least Breton). These are now receiving oil."
The goal of the LSU Bird Resource Center is to facilitate a better understanding of Louisiana birdlife through the gathering and dissemination of information on the distribution and ecology of Louisiana birds. They invite you to join in their efforts. There are many ways to get involved: browse the website and learn about Louisiana birds and projects, report a nesting observation in the Nest Record Project, be a part of a quad squad, submit a noteworthy bird observation on a digital 3x5 card, or participate in the Important Bird Areas designation process.
The bird center has been involved with summer and winter bird atlas projects and will gear up for surveys with a direct focus on the effects of the Deep Horizon oil spill. They are focusing on birds and birding. Regarding the potential impact of oil in these delicate areas, Donna L. Dittmann, Collections Manager for LSU's Museum of Natural Science and LSU's Bird Resource Center, says, "Raccoon, at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, has a very large pelican colony as well as the largest surviving Royal and Sandwich tern colony in the state. One of the largest US colonies of Royal and Sandwich terns was on the southern islands in the Chandeleur chain until Hurricane Ivan in 2004 eliminated those islands whereas the terns may have been able to relocate to the main chain, H. Katrina destroyed beach habitat along the main Chandeleur chain during fall 2005. The southern islands were just beginning to recover this year and a smaller number of terns were on those islands (at least Breton). These are now receiving oil."
Conservian's Coastal Bird Conservation Program (CBCP) is a field-based, science-driven program to enhance the conservation of coastal birds in the western hemisphere. The aim of the CBCP is to increase conservation of North America's most threatened species of coastal birds and their habitats throughout breeding and non-breeding ranges in the western hemisphere. The CBCP works with every interested partner to monitor/protect/stabilize/restore threatened beach-nesting and migrating bird populations, through standardized, proven methods of management and protection. On the broader scale, implementation of conservation actions for shorebirds provide benefits for the entire barrier beach and coastal ecosystem.
Baton Rouge Audubon Society | $3000 »
Jared Wolfe, a Ph.D. student at LSU, is coordinating scientifically relevant monitoring efforts which will be used to examine the impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill on Louisiana bird communities. Through collaboration with colleagues Erik Johnson and Eric Liffmann, and multiple entities including Baton Rouge Audubon, LSU AgCenter, National Audubon, Louisiana Bird Resource Center, he has achieved the capacity to initiate a fairly large monitoring response. Their three primary objectives include (1) acquire the data necessary to establish a base line frequency of birds impacted by the spill; (2) monitor changes in the established base line in order to gauge the depth of the catastrophe as it unfolds; and (3) provide results and inferences for use in academic journals, but more importantly, provide results for potential litigation, quantifying damage for mitigation and keeping the public and birding community informed. The entire data collection process relies solely on dedicated volunteers.
The Baton Rouge Audubon Society, a local volunteer chapter of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to protecting the unique biological treasures of Louisiana, with special concern for birds, wildlife and their habitats. We contribute to our community by offering opportunities to learn about and appreciate the natural environment. Activities offered to BRAS members include regular bird watching and nature field trips, programs by local, regional, and national wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, and weekend workdays at our migratory bird sanctuary on the coast in Cameron Parish. Join BRAS and have some fun, learn about nature, and contribute to protecting our precious natural heritage. If you are a member and would like to be added to our Email list to be notified of upcoming events, please click here to send an email request.
Make your donation count! 95 cents of every dollar donated to the ABA's Gulf Coast fund will go directly to organizations carrying out grassroots bird monitoring projects, research projects, and clean-up efforts.
Bird monitors across the northern Gulf rim are needed! Erik Johnson of Baton Rouge Audubon Society is coordinating all of our volunteers. Volunteers must be familiar with Gulf Coast waterbirds, have own transportation, and lodging. Hazards include broken glass, heat, bugs, etc. Please call Erik at 225-252-8864 or , if interested.