NRDC selects StoryCorps to help record stories from Gulf Coast residents affected by the oil 'spill'

[G_j]

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/09/09-8


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2010
2:11 PM


CONTACT: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and StoryCorps
Jessica Lass, NRDC, 310-434-2300, [e-mail]

NRDC and StoryCorps to Collect the Stories of Residents Affected by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill for Three Weeks in New Orleans and Mobile

NRDC selects StoryCorps to help record stories from Gulf Coast residents affected by the oil spill

WASHINGTON - September 9 - The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and StoryCorps announce a special effort to collect the stories of Gulf Coast residents affected by the April 2010 oil spill. The prominent environmental advocacy group and national nonprofit oral history organization will document the experiences of those living through the largest U.S. oil spill on record.

NRDC has selected StoryCorps to record interviews in two locations in the Gulf Coast region. StoryCorps' MobileBooth -- an Airstream trailer outfitted with a recording studio -- will stop in New Orleans, LA from October 7, 2010 to October, 23, 2010. StoryCorps and NRDC will also host three off-site recording days in Mobile, AL from October 15, 2010 to October 17, 2010 and one off-site recording day in Buras, Louisiana at NRDC's Gulf Resource Center. Reservations for both cities will be available at 10am CT on September 23, 2010 and can be made by calling StoryCorps' 24-hour toll-free reservation line at 1-800-850-4406 or visiting storycorps.org.

NRDC has been on the ground in Louisiana since the Gulf Coast oil spill began in April 2010 and continues to coordinate with local groups, monitor air quality and human health impacts, and document the oil spill's aftermath. NRDC's work in the Gulf dates back to Hurricane Katrina. When the storm hit New Orleans in 2005, NRDC worked closely with the hardest-hit communities to advocate for stronger health protections and to help residents safely clean up their homes and neighborhoods.

"Our collaboration with StoryCorps is about letting Gulf residents tell their own stories on their own terms," said Peter Lehner, executive director of NRDC. "We expect these stories will document the far-reaching impacts of the oil spill including lost livelihoods and family tradition and permanent damage to the natural resources of the Gulf."

"StoryCorps is pleased to have the opportunity to work with NRDC to record the stories of residents in the Gulf. Through these interviews, we hope to celebrate the small acts of courage, kindness and heroism committed by Americans every day," said StoryCorps Founder and President Dave Isay.

The public radio station in New Orleans WWNO will serve as a media partner for these recordings -- airing a selection of the local interviews recorded with StoryCorps and creating special programs around this project.
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The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

StoryCorps is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, preserve, and share their stories. By traveling to every corner of the country, StoryCorps has one of the largest collections of American voices ever gathered, with interviews collected from more than 60,000 Americans in all 50 states. Each week, millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps' award-winning broadcasts on NPR's Morning Edition. StoryCorps has published two books: Listening Is an Act of Love in 2007 and Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps in 2010 -- both New York Times bestsellers. For more information, or to listen to stories online, visit storycorps.org.

[nashville_brook]

1. i always manage to hear StoryCorps right after i put my eye makeup on...then i have to do it again

k and r

[G_j]

2. I love StoryCorps

I'm really looking forward to hearing the Gulf stories.