Fifteen years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, unleashing the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history. Audubon and our supporters across the country worked to pass the bipartisan RESTORE Act, ensuring that fines from BP and other responsible parties are used to restore the Gulf Coast. Now, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council—one of the entities tasked with restoring the Gulf since the oil spill—is proposing a series of projects to comprehensively restore the region's wildlife and habitats.
Tell the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council you support its efforts to protect wildlife and restore coastal habitats.
Note: Audubon will submit your letter to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council and it will become part of the public record. The deadline to submit your letter is Friday, January 2, 2026.
Dear Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council,
I'm writing to support the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council's Draft 2026 Funded Priorities List. I support all the proposed projects, especially:
- Protecting and Restoring Waterbird Rookery Habitat Program in Texas
- Colonial Waterbird Rookery Island Restoration in Texas
- Chandeleur Islands Restoration Project in Louisiana
- West End Dauphin Island, Alabama Renourishment and Resilience
- Restoration of Grand Batture Island in the Mississippi Sound (MS and AL)
- Enhance Coastal Resilience Through Beach and Dune Restoration in Escambia County, FL
These projects will support many species of birds like Reddish Egrets and Brown Pelicans that rely on the Gulf Coast, and I encourage you to include them in Final Plan. Restoring these habitats will also increase coastal resilience against storms, flooding, and coastal erosion, providing critical buffer areas for our wildlife and coastal communities.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
