Questions and Answers
Are there cleanup tasks I can go to work on right away?
Not yet. Only one opportunity has been identified. See the Volunteer Opportunities page for details.
Can I help clean oil from beaches, marshes, and wildlife?
Only if you have the appropriate certification. Oil cleanup and oiled wildlife rehabilitation require hazardous materials training. BP has no plans to offer training to volunteers. Individuals with certification should contact BP's contractor, Tri-State, about participation. Certified individuals may be eligible for compensation.
How will my email address be used?
We intend to use all volunteer information exclusively to put volunteers in touch with cleanup groups who need them. You may specify that your contact information is not shared; if that's the case you'll need to find volunteer opportunities by reviewing the web site.
If you have any concerns about your email address being used inappropriately, we suggest that you set up a gmail.com account for your contacts with us. Then if a problem ever develops you can simply delete the new account.
Can I send money?
We have no mechanism for accepting contributions nor are we soliciting contributions. OSV's web hosting and computer expenses are being donated by Don Abrams. We may post links to what we deem to be legitimate organizations accepting contributions at some time in the future.