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Florida's Recovery CitizenInformation Stations on Pensacola Beach (Fox 10 News Pensacola) Share a Little Sunshine Rally Video As Florida turns to recovery, many organizations are receiving an increase in requests for services by those families severely affected by the oil spill. Many need additional volunteers to help meet those needs. You can help by contacting your favorite local charity and offering your support. Some of the agencies who need volunteers include Food Banks, Elder Care agencies, local Hotlines or Referral Services, homeless shelters, youth agencies, and faith-based organizations, just to name a few. Find your passion. Give your time. Help your neighbor. Thank you for keeping the volunteer spirit alive in Florida! Click here for oil spill volunteer opportunities by county. Oil Spill Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions Coping with the Oil Spill (From the American Psychological Association) Volunteer Management Training (No cost for local organizations that serve Escambia County) Coast Watchers Beach Cleanup Information Volunteer Resources & Websites Out of State Volunteers Employment Opportunities Important Links More Information S.A.V.E Message

Coast Watchers (back to top)

Individuals who live along or are visiting coastal communities can watch for oiled wildlife, vegetation, and beaches by becoming a Coast Watch volunteer.  Similar to the Crime Watch program, Coast Watch volunteers are community members who know the daily wildlife and plants that exist on their local beach.  The “Coast Watchers” will assist BP and their partnering organizations in identifying beaches that need attention.  
 
Coast Watchers will work within the coastal communities where they live or visit and commit to do the following:

• Report injured or oiled animals to the Wildlife Distress Hotline:
  1-866-557-1401

• Report oiled shoreline in Florida to the State Warning Point:
  1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or #DEP from a cell phone. Download the guidelines on what to look for when reporting impacts to Florida’s shoreline. (.pdf, 196KB)
• Download the Oil Spill Reporting Guide (.pdf, 1.2MB)
  

Coast Watchers are not permitted to enter off-limit areas to obtain observations and must not make contact with oiled wildlife, vegetation, and beaches due the health concerns associated with contact.  
 
Citizens wanting to become a Coast Watcher do not require any special training or registration.  However, they should be conscious of the coastal environment in their community.  If a Coast Watcher observes contaminated wildlife, vegetation, or shoreline, it should be reported immediately to the numbers above.

Beach Cleanup Information (back to top)

Click here for oil spill volunteer opportunities by county.

Volunteers are mobilizing to prepare for the arrival of oil on Florida’s shores. Clearing man-made debris from beaches before the oil arrives lessens the amount of contaminated material. 

A Pre-Oil Arrival Beach Cleanup Guidelines and Checklist has been developed to assist with the planning a local beach cleanup.

Pre-Oil Arrival Beach Cleanup Guidelines and Checklist (pdf, 1.8MB)
Voluntary Agency Online Activity Reporting Form

It is shorebird and seabird nesting season. Beach cleanup efforts, although well-intentioned, can pose a serious threat to nesting shorebirds and seabirds if extreme caution is not exercised; it is of utmost importance to follow the best management practices. See www.myfwc.com/OilSpill/OilSpill_Shorebirds_BestPractices.htm 

For those who want to clean litter from the beaches in anticipation of oil coming ashore, Audubon of Florida recommends the following:

• Use approved access points.
• Stay below the tidal line.
• Natural debris should be left in place as it often provides valuable nesting benefits to shorebirds and other wildlife.
• Do not place debris in the dunes or above the high water line.
• Do not use equipment such as rakes, shovels or tractors.
• Do not bring dogs onto the beach (dogs are a primary source beach bird disturbance and mortality).

If you would like your event posted on our website, please contact us.

Volunteer Resources (back to top)

Click here for oil spill volunteer opportunities by county.

Oil Spill Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

Health and Safety Resources

Guidelines for becoming and oiled-wildlife rehabilitator. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Volunteer Handout for Prelandfall Cleanup (pdf, 116KB)

Understanding Shorebirds

Living with Sea Turtles (pdf, 3.5MB)

Gulf Restoration Network

Help Save the Gulf Coast from the Oil Leak

Out of State Volunteers (back to top)

Florida's 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports, including cruise ships, remain open for business. Currently, due to the state's spirit of service, Volunteer Florida does not anticipate calling on nonresidents. However, out-of-state volunteers may organize yard sales or fundraising events, proceeds of which may be donated to listed organizations. You can also register with the volunteer effort.

Important Links (back to top)

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida State Emergency Operations Center

Environmental Protection Agency

Deepwater Horizon Response

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration

Escambia Disaster Response

BP Claims Process

Employment Opportunities (back to top)

Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs

Paid Employment Opportunties (Qualified Communty Responder, Vessels of Opportunity) - Florida Gulf Response

More Information (back to top)

BP operates several Call Centers in response to this event:

• Environmental Hotline and Community Information: 866-448-5816
• Wildlife Distress Hotline: 866-557-1401
• Volunteers: 866-448-5816
• Register your professional services: 281-366-5511
• Vessels of Opportunity - register boats to assist with response: 281-366-5511
• File a claim with BP: 800-440-0858

S.A.V.E. Message (back to top)

Safety first! 

• Oil is a hazardous material and should be handled by highly trained professionals only.

• Volunteers should not attempt to clean impacted beaches themselves or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife on their own. Touching oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly may cause additional environmental damage. Distressed wildlife may become aggressive and cause harm to you.
  

Always heed local warnings from public health officials.

• Do not trespass on closed beaches. Even leaving your footprints behind may cause environmental damage.

• Volunteers should not expect to just show up to affected beaches and work. Showing up puts you at risk for health problems, hinder the efforts of response personnel, and may cause further irreparable damage to impacted beaches.
  

Valuable resources are needed by responding agencies.

• Consider donating much-needed cash to responding organizations.

• Confirm the needs with a responding organization before collecting items.
  

Engage wisely.

• Join a responding organization and become trained to volunteer safely and effectively. 

• The need for volunteers and donations is long-term. Time and resources will be needed for cleanup efforts many months later.