We're bringing together the National Wildlife Federation and Gulf Coast bloggers and to talk about what is happening in the Gulf - in their backyards - and to share their stories, how they're coping and how we can be of help. The NWF leadership and experts will lead the conversation, bringing their on-the-ground experience and knowledge. Bring your questions, stories, views and feelings - and let's give these fantastic Gulf Coast bloggers some love and attention during this very difficult and scary time.

    • X

      GreenKey70

      Lynsey I do the same thing I can only take so much. I have to shut the news off. It is hard to watch.we have not been hit yet but I have been to places that are getting hit like Dauphin Island so it hit home.The hard truth is recovery will be DECADES...

      about 1 year ago

      Sarah56

      fantastic idea

      about 1 year ago

      inkscrblr

      What if someone wrote a children's story about it??. Not scary. Not threatening, but empowering, showing facts in an age appropriate manner with powerful things kids can do to help when disasters happen..

      about 1 year ago

      juliepippert

      Brandie, that would be GREAT!

      about 1 year ago

      Danielle

      These are great ideas, is there a way to tell the story without getting too depressing? We've had children send us amazing letters and stories about how they want to help protect wildlife: http://www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/How-Families-Can-Help/Kids-Helping-Wildlife.aspx

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      What if a whole bunch of mom bloggers partnered with families/individuals affected - told their story over their blogs and did what they could to help out - even if it's just an ear to listen?

      about 1 year ago

      LynseyJones

      @Julie - SO TRUE! When Katrina hit we were all still here trying to pick up the pieces from Ivan! It was like we were completely forgotten about! I think the cleanup would have been much better had we not fallen into the shadows. We STILL have areas with blue roofs!

      about 1 year ago

      debontherocks

      @twincident, that's a great idea. When we've talked to the people in the hardest hit areas, they just want to know that they matter.

      about 1 year ago

      juliepippert

      Danielle, I love Twincident's idea and also, I say find people and share their story -- use your social media and blog channels. Put a face to it! Make it relate-able and real. That will keep interest, support, and help,and more importantly, money. Louisiana did much better PR post-Katrina than Texas did post-Ike and I learned A LOT from that.

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Twincident - amazing idea.

      about 1 year ago

      LynseyJones

      I think we have to keep showing support and community helping eachother without the anger towards BP. As pissed off as we all have a right to be, there is nothing good that comes from the anger - its a wasted emotion/energy. We must show strength, support, togetherness, and action. Like Trisha pointed out - we are strong people (I have lost 4 homes to hurricanes in my lifetime) and I too will never move. This is something ELSE we will endure and overcome.

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Oh, that is the most amazing idea.

      about 1 year ago

      MamaDweeb

      Well we definitely need to focus on the positive and how things are getting better and then talk about what else needs done. I am not saying we color it all in roses, but by starting out with "there is less oil on the beaches today" is better than "THere is still oil on the beaches." I think just talking about it helps

      about 1 year ago

      Twincident

      I'd love to find a way to 'adopt' a fisherman & family. Send care packages, assist with new job training if that's of interest. Do things to help them get back on their feet. My neighborhood could pool resources, even money for one entire family if not more.

      about 1 year ago

      Trisha

      Lyns, you live RIGHT there. Go to quietwater beach..its still great.

      about 1 year ago

      Danielle

      I wore black for a few days. Do you have any thoughts on how we could keep public interest without depressing them?

      about 1 year ago
    • LynseyJones 16 comments
    • I agree on the therapy... I cried for a few days, then tried my best to volunteer, though that was when they werent letting us, and now I think I am in complete denial... like I wont even watch the news.
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      FrostedFingers

      Interesting.

      about 1 year ago

      StacieinAtlanta

      OMG that is scary!!

      about 1 year ago

      Cooper

      So interesting and scary.

      about 1 year ago

      Jaime

      All endangered species are at most risk given their previously precarious state. Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle for example. And the Brown Pelican had just been removed from the endangered species list. Others are at too as much is unknown about the longer term effects of oil and dispersants in this significant concentration.

      about 1 year ago

      suburbandiva

      Is there one species or animal more at risk than another at this early point, Jaime?

      about 1 year ago

      Aislinn

      These observations are very helpful, not only to groups like NWF but also to the Fish and Wildlife agencies working on the oil spill response. If you are interested in putting your observations to good use, sign up to volunteer here: http://www.nwf.org/oilspillvolunteers

      about 1 year ago

      Jaime

      Our volunteers are observing lots of strange behavior. This may be the result of their looking for more oxygen.

      about 1 year ago

      Morningsidemom

      I was just reading an article about gulf marine life showing some significant changes in animal behaviors. Fish, sharks, the rest are all fleeing the oil for shallow water - with the over crowding and environment issues, there are some interesting/disturbing changes for sure.

      about 1 year ago

      Trisha

      They reported to us that what is going on on our beach is that the fish area moving forward (which you can see) and the sharks are chasing the fish. I got some of it on film, but its better w/ the naked eye so i havent shared those shots.

      about 1 year ago

      Danielle

      The microbes that feed on the methane from the spill are depleting the oxygen for the fish and sharks. That's apparently why they are moving closer to shore.

      about 1 year ago

      juliepippert

      Aislinn, we have a lot of brown pelicans here (our town bird) and I usually see them every day, hovering over the water for breakfast. They haven't been as visible lately. It might be unrelated, but I've wondered why.

      about 1 year ago

      newyorkmom

      My mom lives on the bayou and she sees sharks in the bay now. no more water skiing i guess!

      about 1 year ago

      suburbandiva

      We have seen a number of sting rays and sharks as well.

      about 1 year ago

      juliepippert

      I've worried about that. We have man o war and shark attacks here anyway.

      about 1 year ago

      Aislinn

      We are hearing similar stories from our volunteers. Wildlife acting in strange ways, moving in closer to shore. Anyone else witnessed weird wildlife behavior off the coast?

      about 1 year ago
    • Trisha 15 comments
    • If you are visiting the area, I do want to point out that the oil has brought in wildlife that isnt always this close to shore. We have seen sharks recently that are not usually in view. Just a heads up
      about 1 year ago