IMPORTANT UPDATE ON BP OIL SPILL: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received inquiries regarding volunteering to help wildlife and lands that may be imperiled due to the massive oil spill that has developed due to the recent explosion and the sinking of a BP oil platform off the coast of Louisiana.
Below is information that BP has established and is staffing to address questions and information about volunteering, for notification about oiled wildlife, etc. The community information hotline where people can call to volunteer is 866-448-5816. The wildlife hotline is 866-557-1401.
State specific volunteer opportunities:
o Louisiana — http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov
o Mississippi — http://www.volunteermississippi.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
o Florida — http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org
o Alabama — http://www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx
For U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service updates about response along the Gulf Coast and status of national wildlife refuges, visit www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill
Frequently Asked Questions for People Interested in Volunteering to Help with Wildlife Oil Spill Response Activities (click on the link for FAQ Volunteers Word Document)
IMAGINE banding birds at a national wildlife refuge, raising fish at a national fish hatchery, conducting wildlife surveys, leading a tour, or restoring fragile habitat.
With close to 42,000 volunteers contributing in excess of 1.5 million hours, our volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks. Some work full-time, some just a few hours a week or month, or during a particular season or special event.
WHO ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS? 
Our volunteers are individuals who want to give back to their communities, parents who want to be good stewards of the land and set examples for their children, retired people willing to share their wealth of knowledge, concerned citizens of all ages who want to learn more about conservation, and passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to spread the word about America's greatest natural treasures.
WHAT DO OUR VOLUNTEERS DO?
Generally, no special skills are required to be a volunteer. On-the-job training
is provided as needed. Individual talents and skills are matched with volunteer
interests and work opportunities.
The following opportunities may be available on a refuge near you:
- conducting fish and wildlife population surveys
- lead tours and provide information to school groups and other visitors
- assisting with laboratory research, improve habitat such as re-establishing native plants along a riverbank
- help with special projects such as banding ducks
- performing clerical and administrative duties
- working with computers and other technical equipment
- photograph natural and cultural resources
- fight invasive species
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