MEDIA ADVISORY, Aug. 5, 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. 10 stop at Fairmount Park, off
Franklin Pkwy, at the Museum of Art. Organizers
have extended invitations to 100 conservation
organizations, local aquariums, and museums
throughout the eastern seaboard to exhibit and
share information coastal habitats and marine-related
environmental issues.
WHY: The goal of the 15-state, 16-city Wyland Ocean
Challenge coastal celebration and cleanup tour is to
inspire over 1 million people of all ages to promote,
protect and preserve the nation's marine habitats,
from its coasts to its rivers, lakes and wetlands.
"Problems like growth, pollution runoff and
development have creative massive environmental
problems that have seriously impacted local
waterways," said marine life artist Wyland whose
16,000-square-foot mural can be seen locally at
2400 Market Street. "Clearly, what's happening
upstream in Pennsylvania is affecting downstream
waters like the Delaware Bay, and certainly
Chesapeake Bay. 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 guest speakers, live
music, marine life art exhibition, an environmental
"Family Feud" game and local environmental updates,
will take place from 11:30 a.m. - 1 pm., with
additional activities, including a hydrogen fuel
cell model car demonstration, and an opportunity for
children to draw with Wyland, will take place
throughout the day. The 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. The Wyland Foundation is a
501c3 non-profit organization.
NOTE TO ASSIGNMENT EDITORS:
Online press kit with print ready images, schedule, local speakers, and quicktime video available at: http://www.wylandoceanchallenge.org/media