The media spotlight on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is dwindling, but the cleanup is far from over. The health of the Gulf of Mexico and it’s wetlands heavily impacts America’s domestic energy production, the seafood industry, international shipping, and the region’s culture. They don’t call Louisiana a Sportsman’s (or sportswoman’s) paradise for nothing. Please think about what you and your family can do to help the efforts to restore the Gulf Coast back to it’s natural beauty, including preserving it’s wildlife. Notice that there are things you can do that cost nothing and still promote the restoration of the gulf.
1. Sign the Petition to Restore the Gulf
Join the “Be the One” campaign started by the Women of the Storm . Use your one voice to communicate the importance of conserving the Gulf Coast to today’s government and community leaders. Lending a hand to this campaign are Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Emeril, Peyton and Eli Manning, Dave Matthews, and many others. Take the time to watch the video featured on their website and sign the petition so your voice can be heard.
2. Gaming for Good with XEKO
As featured on The Today Show, Xeko’s games are making a difference in the real world. Play the Sea Turtle Gulf Oil Spill GoodQuest and help virtual sea turtles. For all of the virtual sea turtles helped, Xeko will make a donation to the Audubon Institute to help with the recovery and rehabilitation of real wildlife.
3. Fleurty Girl’s RESCUE ME Shirts
Fleurty Girl, a NOLA original, created the RESCUE ME t-shirt design in conjunction with the Audubon Institutes’s Louisiana Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rescue Program(LMMSTRP). This is a limited-edition shirt with 100% of the net proceeds going directly to the LMMSTRP. The RESCUE ME shirt retails for $20 and comes in women’s, unisex, and kid’s sizes. It is on 100% combed organic cotton and printed using soy oil-based inks. LMMSTRP is the only organization authorized to rescue marine animals affected by the oil spill in Louisiana. It it estimated that for every sea turtle recovered, cleaned, and rehabbed the cost is approximately $5,000.
4. Adopt a Sea Turtle
The Audubon Institute in New Orleans, LA which owns and operates the Audubon Zoo, The Aquarium of the Americas, and the Audubon Insectarium, offers the ability to symbolically adopt an animal. Make sure your child understands that they still have to be cared for by professional zookeepers because my son was disappointed when I told him the sea turtle couldn’t live in our bath tub. Many species of animals are available for adoption depending on your contribution. Each adoption comes with a certificate of adoption, color picture of the animal, a fun facts sheet, and, if your local, a special invite for adopted parents only.
5. Purchase Specially Marked Dawn Products
For a limited time when you purchase a bottle of Dawn detergent your purchase can contribute $1 to help wildlife affected by the oil spill. Look for the donation code on the back of your bottle and go to www.dawnsaveswildlife.com to enter it and learn more about how Dawn is being used to gently clean the oil off the animals while not damaging their skin or feathers. Dawn has been used for over 30 years by wildlife rescuers and has already raised $471,455 to help the Gulf Coast clean-up efforts.
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