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You may vote every week through August 21 to help Audubon raise money for
Gulf relief and restoration efforts. Thanks!
August 2, 2010 Dear Andrew, Even as efforts to fully choke the 100-day spill this week appearing promising, oil continues to impact birds and their habitats, and Audubon immediate response efforts continue. But the hoped-for halt to the immediate crisis in the gulf will also set the stage for its long term recovery. Two Audubon Volunteers Help with Bird Recovery
 They wait for hours under a canvas canopy in the broiling heat of Port Sulphur, Louisiana, ready to spring into action when a radio call announces a transport boat is arriving with bird and wildlife casualties. On this particular day in July, Dale and Matt played their part in Audubon's Gulf Oil Response by assisting with the transport of twenty birds to the Bird Rehabilitation Center. Eleven oiled birds made it safely to the Center, while nine others were recovered either DOA or died on their way to the docks. Audubon transport aides have a heart-wrenching, but essential role in the rescue process. They ensure accurate documentation of the number, species and condition of the birds being brought to shore, as well as the transfer of the birds from the boats to the transport vans. The vans then take them to the Bird Rehab Center where highly trained professionals focus on new "saves" and prepare them for release. Matt, a New Orleanian working in the music recording industry, feels the emotional strain from his time on the docks. "This isn't my first day to see this, and it doesn't get any easier each time I do it. It's hard to wrap your head around why this is going on and to not think that we're all partially accountable. I know it's got me thinking and acting a lot differently, more responsibly."  A retired Wisconsin native with a background in soil and water conservation, Dale hopes that some good can come out this devastation. "I wish that all Americans would realize the role we've played in helping create this situation. It's our demand on this type of energy (fossil fuels) that's caused this. If others could see what I've seen here, maybe we'd all take conservation more seriously."
For now, both are acting to make a difference. A Prescription for Long Term Recovery
On Wednesday, Audubon and its Louisiana Coastal Restoration partners released a plan to restore wetlands—a critical step forward that will benefit birds, wildlife and people of the region. The recommendations included in the report, entitled "Common Ground: A Shared Vision for Restoring the Mississippi River Delta," by Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation, outlines the necessary steps to restore and rebuild an ecosystem that has lost more than 2,300 square miles of wetlands—an area larger than the state of Delaware—since the 1930s. The three environmental organizations came together to seek solutions to one of our nation's most pressing environmental challenges. According to the report," The loss of coastal wetlands to oil contamination may speed up today's alarming land loss, leaving an already weakened ecosystem even more vulnerable to storms and other man-made assaults." The good news is that the collaborative effort is bringing together the expertise, knowledge and supporters of all three organizations. Learn more. Audubon Gulf Response Volunteers Keep Things in Tune on Grand Isle
 In this small Louisiana community, human and avian inhabitants alike are reeling from the oil spill's impacts. But thanks to our terrific volunteers, last weekend's music fans at the Island Aid Concert—held to benefit the town —were able to enjoy a much-needed good time, while Least Tern colonies went about their business as usual. Beach concerts can sometimes by tough on birds who are trying to care for their young, but our volunteer beach stewards kept things harmonious for all. Read more. Audubon to Testify on Behalf of Gulf Living Resources
Melanie Driscoll, Audubon's director of bird conservation in Louisiana, will testify on a panel convened by the federal government's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement in New Orleans Wednesday, Aug. 4. Melanie will speak on behalf of the living resources of the Gulf Coast—birds, other wildlife, habitats and people—and urge the federal government to impose the highest possible safety standards and containment requirements on companies like BP so that a disaster like this never happens again. Melanie was asked by government officials to participate in the hearing because of her expertise and Audubon's recognized leadership not only now, during the oil disaster, but across the Gulf Coast for decades. Latest Webcast Gives a Taste of Coastal Bird Survey Training
Based on feedback from our first two webcasts, we took a somewhat different tack and provided a thumbnail of our coastal bird survey training and a good introduction to using ebird.org for recording observations. For beginners and seasoned birders alike, everyone can help with Gulf restoration efforts by recording bird sightings and adding to the body of information we have about breeding, migration and other bird data to help Audubon scientists and others with recovery plans. Knowing how the spill is affecting bird populations is critical to how we ensure their ultimate recovery from the disaster. Even data from outside the Missisissipp River corridor is useful, so whether you are on the East coast, the West coast or somewhere in between, your citizen science efforts are important. Listen to the archives for our first three webcasts. You will need to register for each webcast in order to access the archives. May 24, 2010 Webcast
June 23, 2010 Webcast
July 21, 2010 Webcast Audubon Names New President
David Yarnold has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Audubon, effective September 1, 2010, giving new momentum to efforts to connect people with nature and their power to protect it. A passionate conservationist, Yarnold currently serves as Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund and President of Environmental Defense Action Fund. Read more. Thank you for your continued support. | 
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