By Carey Dunne, 23, reporting from Brooklyn, NY, on how to help International Bird Rescue on the anniversary of the BP spill
I first learned of International Bird Rescue while writing about People for Pelicans, a gorgeous new line of intricately illustrated silk scarves, totes, and pouches from downtown New York’s activist fashion label nakedheel.
Until September 19—the third anniversary of the day the well was finally sealed in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began in April 2010—People for Pelicans designer Katrin Wiens is donating 10 percent of her proceeds to this organization. (Wiens co-founded the late Pepper+Pistol, which has a special place in our RED Hearts.)
It’s the mission of International Bird Rescue to swoop in and save avian casualties, including those in the Gulf of Mexico, where the once endangered brown pelican population was devastated by BP hemorrhaging 170 gallons of black oil into their habitat. IBR’s small army of wildlife veterinarians rehabilitates spill victims in a delicate process involving spa nozzles, Dawn soap and therapy pools.
This summer, as the birds still struggle, why not participate in International Bird Rescue’s Adoption project? For $25, you can adopt an orphan duckling (the most tragically adorable pairing of words). Or, if you like birds that sound like creatures from The Jabberwocky, adopt a loon, grebe or murre for $50 to $75. These elegant black-and-white diving birds took a terrible hit during the spill. You get a certificate saying that the bird is being helped in your name. It’s a perfect gift for a wildlife lover, or just a way to get involved.
For a strangely transfixing procrastination outlet, check out International Bird Rescue’s Birdcam, a live video feed of behind-the-scenes orphaned duckling activity. There’s even a chat feature, if you’re feeling lonely. The Birdcam once featured what is arguably the Harry Potter of water birds, the Duckling Who Lived: After a pregnant mallard was killed by a car, IBR removed and incubated her egg. The hatchling made headlines 26 days later.