Gulf Restoration Network

Save cypress forests in the Gulf, have fun working with good folks, challenge corporate power, learn effective grassroots organizing and advocacy techniques, and get class credit. Interested yet? Now, let's add a weekend of top-notch grassroots training in New Orleans.

Students anywhere on the Gulf Coast, apply to join the Gulf Restoration Network as a Save Our Cypress Grassroots Organizer, and all this could be yours.
Save Our Cypress Campaign Grassroots Organizer

Internship Goals

1. Organize participation in the Save Our Cypress campaign leading to a campaign victory
2. Increase visibility and profile of the GRN in your city and state
3. Develop your organizing skills

Organizer responsibilities could include:

Campus/Public Outreach

• Develop background knowledge of the cypress issue, monitor local developments, and create campaign materials (stickers, posters, etc.)
• Recruit concerned citizens and students to volunteer in all aspects of the campaign
• Conduct community coalition-building efforts to strengthen the campaign and the GRN
• Organize regular publicity events (tabling, street theatre, movie screenings, demonstrations, etc.)

Campus Campaign

• Develop strategic plan for banning cypress mulch on campus
• Build campus support (student orgs, faculty, SGA, etc.) for a “no cypress mulch” policy
• Work with campus administration to pass and implement policy

Direct Pressure

• Collect post-cards and emails to pressure Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s
• Hold local demonstrations, brochure hand-outs, etc. at retail outlets
• Use local media, through news releases, media events, LTE’s, and op-eds, to raise campaign visibility
• Participate in Gulf-wide call-in days and coordinated actions

Skills Required:  Commitment to environmental issues and social change, strong communication skills, commitment to grassroots organizing, no experience required.

Supervision and Training: Initial training weekend in New Orleans, Sept 21-23. Bi-weekly individual planning calls and bi-weekly conference calls for trainings. Email and phone communication as frequently as needed. Site visits dependent on location.

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to Ayn Pivonka at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Contact:  Ayn Pivonka at  (504) 525-1528 ext. 217, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on the GRN, explore our website at www.healthygulf.org.        

The Gulf Restoration Network (GRN) Regional Internship Program is the first step in building a Gulf-wide student movement that will engage on important local and regional environmental issues. Students have tremendous power to change the world around them. With support and training from the GRN, students will have even greater capacity to focus those efforts and create real victories for the Gulf.

The Gulf of Mexico has a history of abundance, but our natural resources are now strained to the breaking point. Entrenched interests fight hard to retain the status quo even though our environment can no longer support the exploitation and extraction. The solution is to unite and empower citizens in the Gulf Region to fight for the environment. As we continue to struggle for the proper balance of development and conservation, our voice will be essential. Together, we can protect and restore the impressive natural resources of the Gulf for future generations.

GRN internships will be managed in conjunction with your school and be completed for class credit. These are unpaid positions that will provide valuable experience and have a true impact on Gulf environmental issues. Time commitment is approximately 10 hours per week. Individual plans and arrangements will be made according to local needs and university requirements.