As 2010 begins, many of us are making resolutions to do things differently. Some of us vow to eat less and work out more often, while others resolve to quit a bad habit. If one of your resolutions is to give of your time, we hope you will consider volunteering with Mobile Baykeeper. If you are concerned about the health of the Mobile Bay Watershed, there are many things you can do in 2010 to help protect it. Here are some volunteer opportunities to consider:

Help out in the office: Mobile Baykeeper has a small staff and needs regular help with filing, upkeep of our archives section and help with mailings.

Events: Mobile Baykeeper has many fundraising events already on the calendar, each of which utilize volunteer help. Our largest fundraiser, the Springhill Medical Center Grandman Triathlon requires at least 100 volunteers for the safety and success of the race. In addition to fundraisers, we also attend events throughout the Mobile and Baldwin County area to educate the community about our organization.

Hands on activities: This year we need volunteers to help in the spring, summer and early fall to help with the ongoing problem of the apple snail, which has taken up residence in Langan Park Lake and Three Mile Creek. If you are willing to get out in a small boat, canoe or kayak, or walk along the shore’s edge to scrape snail eggs, we can use your help.

Baykeeper Patrol: We also need to know of any other problems you see while out on the bay, river, or creek. Be our eyes and ears in the community and report problems to our office.

Mobile Baykeeper appreciates volunteers of all ages. We provide service hours for high school and college students, and work with volunteer organizations such as RSVP. If you are interested in giving your time to Mobile Baykeeper, please call our Volunteer Coordinator, Tammy Herrington, at 433-4229.