MEDIA ADVISORY, Aug. 23, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHAT: The artist responsible for nearly 100 gigantic sea
life murals around the world -- some as large as 3
acres -- is hosting a series of cleanups and rallies
in 15 states along the eastern seaboard, including an
Aug. 25 stop in St. Simons Island, GA, at Neptune
Park, off Mallery St. and Beachview Drive. Organizers
have extended invitations to 100 conservation
organizations, local aquariums, and museums throughout
the eastern seaboard to exhibit and share information
about coastal habitats and marine-related
environmental issues.
WHY: The goal of the 15-state, 16-city Wyland Ocean
Challenge coastal celebration and clean-up tour is to
inspire over 1 million people of all ages to promote,
protect and preserve the nation's marine habitats.
"Problems like growth, pollution, runoff and
development have created massive environmental
problems for our waterways," said marine life artist
Wyland, whose 23,000-square foot mural can be seen at
The Underground Atlanta, 90 Central Ave. "Events like
this are a way to show that when people work together
for a common purpose -- a clean environment, in this
case -- they can literally change the face of our
planet."
EVENT SCHEDULE:Cleanups will occur from 7-10 a.m. each
day. Extensive activities, including local guest
speakers from the Driftwood Nature Center, the
Center for Sustainable Coast, and the Sierra Club,
live music, an environmental "Family Feud" game
and local environmental updates, will take place
from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., with additional
activities, including a hydrogen fuel cell model
car demonstration, a live animal touch tank, and
an opportunity for children to draw with Wyland,
will take place throughout the day. Event is free.
WHO: One of the world's most recognizable artists,
Wyland has personally discussed environmental
issues with nearly 1,000,000 children over the
last twenty years, hosted his own show on TV's
"Animal Planet," and has created life-size Whaling
Wall murals in 68 cities around the world. He has
been recognized for his conservation efforts by
the National Educator's Association, the United
Nations, and environmental groups around the
world.