Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery
On April 20, the explosion and sinking of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed 11 crew members and left many others injured, started one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. In response to this catastrophe, the Conservation Registry launched the Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery web site to advance effective efforts to save wildlife and keep track of response and recovery in the Gulf of Mexico.

Worker deploying boom in the Gulf. Photo by Krista Schlyer.

Conservation Registry for Oil Spill Recovery
In the early days following the explosion, conservationists, media and concerned citizens searched for news, maps, images and up to date information about the Gulf. Defenders of Wildlife and partners turned to the Conservation Registry and its powerful mapping tool to visualize the impacted areas. The Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery site is the result—a way for users to map oil spill impacts, enter recovery projects and observations, share photos, ask for help, track the long term impacts of the spill and see what is being done to protect wildlife and coastal habitats.

Mapping Tool
Built in the familiar Google Maps environment, the mapping tool utilizes geographic imagery and forecasts that focus on the Gulf and are updated daily. Additional map layers show known locations of nesting sites, species concentration areas and other environmentally sensitive resources. Conservation Registry project sites can be viewed as well.

How does the Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery web site work?
Users can search the map for impacts and recovery projects by activity type, species and habitats. Impacts and recovery efforts can be viewed in relation to sea turtle nesting sites, manatee locations, high priority federal lands and other relevant map layers. To report an impact or observation, or contribute a new project, users create an account through a simple one-step signup which requires a name and email address.

Deployed boom. Photo by Krista Schlyer

Types of projects
Observations: Oil slicks or sheen, oiled plants and wildlife, wildlife mortality, oiled beaches. Recovery and mitigation projects: Oil contamination management, boom and barrier placement, beach clean-up, wildlife rescue. Request assistance or search for volunteer opportunities. Post project needs for volunteers, special equipment or funding. Reach out to projects that need help.

Collaboration
As this environmental catastrophe unfolds, and the impacts to wildlife, habitats, human lives and livelihoods stretch from weeks into months, and possibly years, the Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery web site connects users and encourages the most effective solutions.

Go to the Gulf Oil Spill Response and Recovery web site.