Protecting the Mississippi River will require active people from across the entire River region. River Citizens are committed residents who enjoy the blessings of the River and pledge to help protect it.
Use this site to record your actions, share you favorite River memories, comment on River news, post photos and connect with other River Citizens. The 1 Mississippi River Citizens program is generously sponsored by the McKnight Foundation and Aveda Corporation.
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Environmental groups, like many Mississippi River Network members, have been overwhelmed with requests for volunteer opportunities. The National Audubon Society, for example, is organizing and activating over 13,000 volunteers who signed up to help in the months since the Gulf Coast in the months since the spill began.
"The volunteer response to this growing disaster has been amazing," said Sean Saville, National Field Director for the National Audubon Society. "People just want to do something to help, and with the additional coordinating capacity at our new Volunteer Response Center [in Moss Point, Mississippi] we can engage volunteers in a positive and timely way and also help set realistic expectations about what volunteer opportunities are available. Volunteers with the right skills and a positive attitude can make a world of difference by being available when and where they're needed."
Anticipated volunteer activities with the National Audubon Society include:
• Volunteer Response Center Staff — scheduling volunteers, identifying and coordinating engagement with new projects, logistical support, arranging training, office management, etc.
• Coastal Bird Survey — collecting data and photos on bird resources and impacts across the coast according to specific scientific protocols.
• Wildlife Transport Facilitator —assisting USFWS and Tri-State Bird Rescue with volunteers scheduled in round-the-clock shifts in key locations for injured/oiled wildlife recovery and transport operations throughout the coastal region.
• Bird Capture and Rescue Materials — volunteers are needed to make nets, cages and other materials to assist trained professionals in oiled bird rescue efforts.
• Citizen Science Monitoring — submitting electronic information on birds sightings at Important Bird Areas, refuges or sanctuaries to assess population impacts, numbers of target species or species of concern
• Bird Hotline Operators –- providing on-site bird expertise for our Volunteer Response Center as well as possibly in field offices of BP, Tri-State Bird Rescue and others involved in response efforts to address issues related to bird sightings, handling, species identification, etc.
Sign up HERE to volunteer