Deadline to nominate is Sunday, March 25, 2012

Toyota, KCBS2, and the Wyland Foundation are seeking inspiring environmental stewards in Southern California to be recognized throughout the month of April as Earth Month Heroes. Earth Month Heroes are individuals, of any age, occupation, or walk of life, who have gone out of their way to make Southern California a better place to live. Maybe you know someone who was recently awarded a grant for a sustainability program? A friend who is reconnecting young people with nature? A company that has overhauled its operations to create a greener workplace or reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain?

What makes an Earth Month hero?  A few examples:

- A neighbor who demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to living a sustainable lifestyle.

- A teacher who uses innovative methods in the classroom to inspire students about conservation.

- A company or company "go-green initiative" that is making a difference.

- A group or individuals behind a city program to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, save energy.

Tell us! We want to know! 

Up to 30 award winners in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura Counties and the Inland Empire will each receive $250 from the Wyland Foundation to donate to the environmental charity of their choice, with one grand prize winner receiving $1,000. Winners will be profiled on the KCBS2 / KCAL9 web site throughout the month of April. Send an email with the name and contact information (phone number and email address) of your nominee(s) to cleanwater@wylandfoundation.org and tell us in under 250 words why they should be named an "Earth Month Hero". 

National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, March 30-April 30, asks mayors to take leadership role for future of water 

With the nation facing $1 trillion in water infrastructure improvements in the next 20 years, a group of federal, non-profit, and local organizations are asking mayor's across the nation to compete next month to see who can inspire the most residents in their cities to become the most "water wise." 

The mayors earn bragging rights about winning the Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, a non-profit competition, March 30-April 30, to see which leaders can best inspire their residents to make a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges aimed at drastically slashing water and energy use across the nation — and in return residents can win a new Toyota Prius Hybrid, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes. The program is in support of the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. 

“The mayor's challenge gives communities a way to come together for one very important reason — the future of our planet,” says famed marine artist Wyland, who piloted the Mayor’s Challenge concept to more than 200 South Florida and Southern California cities in 2009 and 2011. “We see mayors making gentleman's bets over who will win college football games. Here's a way for them to take on an even more important challenge in a friendly, competitive way.” 

With support from Toyota, US EPA, US Forest Service, NOAA, National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle, and eco-conscious companies, mayors nationwide are encouraged to challenge their residents to conserve water, save energy, and reduce pollution on behalf of their city at www.mywaterpledge.com throughout the month of April. The cities of Los Angeles, Honolulu, Redondo Beach, and Honolulu were among the first to accept the challenge. Other mayors are following suit by issuing council resolutions, creating steering committees, and using the city’s “highest” seat to urge their residents to save water, energy, and reduce pollution. 

Cities will be divided into four regions (West, Midwest, South and Northeast) and categorized by population (5,000-30,000 residents, 30,001-100,000 residents, 100,000+ residents). Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge win. Participants in the winning cities will be eligible to win over $50,000 in prizes, including a Toyota Prius Hybrid, custom-designed sprinkler systems from Rainbird, Eco-Flow Showerheads from WaterPik, Sterling water-saving toilets, and hundreds of gift cards from Lowe's. Residents will also discover resources in their area to take their commitment of conservation even further, from regional water and energy resource issues to cost-saving tips at home. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mayor's can participate by signing online letter of support. For information, cities can call 949 643-7070 or email cleanwater@wylandfoundation.org and request participation information.

Thousands of children who live near the coast lack transportation to see our planet's greatest natural wonder. But in May two Southern California charities will work together to bring the ocean to the children.

MARINE MURALIST WYLAND TEAMS WITH DANA WHARF

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 -- The Orange County Board of Education and County Superintendent of Schools, William M. Habermehl, presented four Outstanding Contributions to Education (OCTE) awards at the monthly board meeting on November 17, 2011. The OCTE program honors administrators, teachers, clerical staff, specialists, crossing guards, nurses, bus drivers, Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), volunteers, business leaders, and community organizations that have made significant contributions to education. Awards are presented six times annually and nominations are received year-round. The program, which began in the early 1980s, has made an impact in the community by acknowledging the value of giving and honoring those who have offered their time and talents to support education in schools throughout Orange County.

November 17 Honorees:

Gregg Goodhart, Fine Arts Chairman, revitalized the music history course, added a course in music theory, and instituted the first ever guitar program at Servite High School. He was the only music teacher on campus when he began in 2000, and since then he has developed a vibrant college preparatory music program, including a band and choir, as well as offerings in classical guitar.

Mr. Goodhart is a nationally recognized guitar teacher. He was awarded the Outstanding School Music Teacher of the Year 2009 by the American String Teacher’s Association Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter. He founded and currently serves as a member of the Pre-College Education Committee for the Guitar Foundation of America.

Dr. Jack Bedell, Board Member, stated, “We are pleased to honor Mr. Goodhart for his dedicated work that has enabled students to participate in the wonderful world of music. His perseverance has resulted in a music program that not only motivates and encourages students to develop important skills, but also enriches the lives of individuals through appreciation of the arts.”

Sylvia Mendez, is an educational motivator who speaks at schools and forums regarding her parents’ fight for desegregation of schools in California. Her father, Gonzalo Mendez, a Mexican immigrant, and her mother, Felicitas Mendez, a Puerto Rican immigrant, fought so that Sylvia could have an equal education through the landmark court case battle, Mendez v. Westminster. When Sylvia was in third grade, she and her siblings were denied admission to the segregated school near their Orange County home. The Mendez family fought back, and their 1947 victory desegregated public schools in California and became an example for broader decisions, such as the Brown v. Board of Education case.

In 1998, the Santa Ana Unified School District honored the Mendez family by naming a new school the Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School. On April 14, 2007, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a stamp commemorating the Mendez v. Westminster case. This year, Sylvia Mendez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented by President Barack Obama, and an exhibit honoring Mendez v. Westminster opened at the Old Courthouse Museum in Santa Ana. Known as ‘A Class Act,’ this exhibit is sponsored by the Museum of Teaching and Learning.

David Boyd, Board Member, stated, “We appreciate Sylvia Mendez and her family for the very important role they served in the history of education in Orange County and throughout the United States. Sylvia’s work continues to keep this piece of Orange County history alive and at the forefront of education programs.”

Orange County Business Council. For more than 100 years, the Orange County Business Council and its predecessor organizations have promoted economic development countywide and served as the voice of business in America’s sixth largest county representing businesses with nearly 250,000 employees in Orange County and 2 million nationwide.

Of special recognition is Orange County Business Council’s contribution to education through the Latino Education Attainment (LEA) initiative. LEA works to assist Latino parents by providing them with strategies to advocate for their children, and to spark the importance of education in Latino neighborhoods.  

Dr. Long Pham, Board Vice President, stated, “The Latino Education Attainment Initiative is dedicated to unifying the community, students, and parents to produce a highly skilled workforce for the future. This important program works to create neighborhood-based groups that provide navigational skills to parents in all areas of education.”

Wyland Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded in 1993 by marine life artist, Wyland, to promote, protect, and preserve the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, life-size public arts projects, and community events. Since its inception, Wyland and the Wyland Foundation have painted 100 life-size marine murals known as the Whaling Walls and brought environmental art and education events to over one million children in the United States and in countries across the globe.

The Wyland Foundation uses art, science, and creativity to support an understanding of the importance of healthy oceans and waterways and is committed to giving children the tools they need to become more creative, positive, and solution-oriented individuals.

Elizabeth Parker, Board President, stated, “The Wyland Foundation is sharing the world’s knowledge about clean water conservation in a creative and dynamic way. Through its comprehensive programs, the Foundation is working to ensure students throughout the world have the tools necessary to meet the environmental challenges of the 21^st Century.”

For more information about the Outstanding Contributions to Education Awards program, visit http://outstanding.ocde.us

Internationally renowned artist and conservationist Wyland rolls his acclaimed "Clean Water Challenge," environmental education program about water conservation into Ontario area schools in partnership with Crown Toyota Ontario and Toyota Motor Sales. The award-winning project combines classroom education projects at 19 local schools, along with visits to selected schools by the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center, a 1,000-square foot bio-diesel powered science center on wheels is dedicated to water conservation and management. and includes an actual running river, a 40-person theater, falling rain over an urban watershed, and computer exhibits. The overall program is designed to use art and science to foster a greater understanding of urban watersheds in the Inland Empire. Climate models and population estimates in the state of California indicate that water supplies will become more limited. Participating schools will each receive resource guides, student activities books, eco guide, and posters to discover the latest information about the future of our ocean, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and urban watersheds.

Wyland Clean Water Challenge Facts

• The Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center exhibit has served more than 200,000 students across the nation since 2007.
• The Wyland Clean Water Challenge Classroom Eco-Kits are created by the Wyland Foundation and published by Blue Star Education and contain more than 300 pages of content, Wyland artwork, activities. Each kit can serve up to 120 students during the course of a school semester

About John Elway's Crown Toyota

John Elway’s Crown Toyota has been serving the automotive needs of the Inland Valley for over 40 years. As one of the largest volume Toyota dealers in the world, Crown Toyota offers an exceptional selection of new and used vehicles along with a customer experience that has won the dealership the “Triple Crown” of Toyota Customer Satisfaction Awards. Visit www.crowntoyota.com for more information

Environmentalist and artist Wyland’s non-profit foundation has issued a challenge to other organizations throughout Orange County to join them this holiday season to help fund drinking water wells for impoverished villages in Uganda.

The foundation has committed the first $1,000 toward a $4,000 fundraising goal for the first well. The wells are coordinated and installed through Wells of Life, a Laguna Beach-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to clean drinking water in African communities.

“The Wyland Foundation has long been committed to improving environmental conditions around the world – primarily through raising awareness about water issues,” said Wyland. “Many aspects of our environment from sustainability to human health are closely linked. The Wells for Life is a key program in this global awareness effort.”

Addressing the widespread lack of access to fresh water is one of the United Nations millennium goals. More than 6,000 children die daily due to sickness and disease from bad water. Additionally, 70 percent of hospital visits in East Africa are caused by unsafe drinking water. The continuous search for water in these communities impacts access to education and limits economic growth.

Individuals or organizations who wish to contiribute or match the foundation’s contribution to the Wells for Life program can call the foundation at 1 800-wyland-0. Or visit www.wylandfoundation.org or www.wellsoflifeafrica.org

The Aquarium of the Pacific and the Wyland Foundation have partnered  to create an exciting new way for you to support the ocean! For a limited time only, you can adopt a Blue Whale at the exclusive Wyland level through the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Adopt an Animal Program.

Click here to adopt today!  Your donation will help fund education and conservation initiatives, environmental education programs, animal rehabilitation research, and important breeding efforts.  All proceeds benefit the Aquarium of the Pacific and The Wyland Foundation.

We all know about crab mentality. You put a bunch of crabs in a bucket, and when one tries to escape all of the others try to pull it down, rather than allowing it to get free.

You've seen them on Discovery Channel's Shark Week, Animal Planet, Nat Geo and the BBC − they are the top shark experts in the world! Now meet them in person for lunch or dinner, learn why they love sharks, and why sharks need protection.

Please forward this to your family, friends, colleagues, or anyone who may want to pass on a better, cleaner planet to their kids!

Thank you very much.

A unique dolphin sculpture painted by Wyland last year will be re-auctioned to commemorate the 11th Anniversary of the sinking of the HMCS Yukon (a former Canadian Destroyer Escort). The Yukon was sunk off the coast of San Diego, California in July 2000 to create an artificial reef.

Fashioned from the hull of the Yukon before its sinking, the stunning steel dolphin shape was cut by the late Milt Beard and prepped by Scott Brown (both Project Yukon volunteers) before being hand-painted by Wyland as an original work titled "Dolphin and Baby." Wyland gladly donated his time May-June 2010 in hopes that his talents and efforts would benefit our Blue Planet.

Proceeds will be split between Wyland Foundation and California Ships to Reefs (both 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations) to continue their efforts to maintain a healthy ocean. Your winning bid amount may be tax deductible. 

If you are interested in making this piece a part of your Wyland collection, please visit the California Ships to Reefs website by July 15, 2011 to place your bid.

http://www.californiashipstoreefs.org

ABOUT CALIFORNIA SHIPS TO REEFS 

California Ships to Reefs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation seeking to reef surplus ships as artificial reefs to bring diving and fishing tourism to local ports in California while enhancing the ocean environment.

Whale Tails Tortilla Chips announces an exciting new program to support the efforts of the non-profit Wyland Foundation for ocean conservation. With Wyland’s artwork featured on chip bags and Whale Tails’ launch of  two new chip flavors, this initiative expands the goal of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips to have a positive impact in the future of our oceans.

“The Wyland Foundation matches our company’s ideals,” said Terry Kraszewski, CEO and Co-Founder of  Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. “We are excited that a portion of the sales of our new bags will go to such a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to protecting our oceans and marine life through creative ‘hands on’ approaches to education and stewardship.”

Founded by the world-renowned artist Wyland, who is best known for murals depicting whales and marine life, the Wyland Foundation works to bridge the gap between art and science through education programs, public arts projects, and community events. Now, Wyland’s brilliantly rendered art will be featured on the packaging for Whale Tails Tortilla Chips’ line of all-natural tortilla chips.

“Wyland provided three original oil paintings to use for our new flavors. Our Hawaiian Barbeque with a hint of sun-dried mango, features ‘Dawn of Creation,’ painted by Wyland in 2003. The Blue Corn with Chia Seeds’ bag showcases ‘Orca Journey,’ painted by Wyland in 1990. Our original flavor, Yellow Corn with Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt features ‘Hawaii Endangered Species,’ created by Wyland in 2006,” said Kraszewski. “Proceeds from our sales will go toward helping thousands of school children learn about ocean conservation, which is the real inspiration energizing this partnership. It’s a perfect fit, for a perfect shape that makes perfect sense for everyone!”

“Partnering with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips is a great opportunity for our foundation that will help us support teachers, develop educational materials, and expand our outreach,” said Wyland. “We’ve already brought ocean conservation tools to more than one million children, now we look forward to reaching the next million.”

Healthy snacking and helping the environment has never tasted so good. Whale Tails Tortilla Chips are now available in three flavors and use only natural, organic, kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO ingredients. Whale Tails Tortilla Chips are sold at Whole Foods in Southern and Northern California, many aquariums and local specialty food stores. To find a store selling Whale Tails Tortilla Chips near you, visit www.whaletailschips.com.

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About Whale Tails Tortilla Chips

Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, a swiftly growing California organic snack food company, was founded in 2006 and is quickly adding retail accounts after being featured as Snack of the Day on Rachael Ray, along with a segment on the Food Network's popular series: “Road Tasted with the Neelys.” Whale Tails was also selected as a 2010 funding recipient of the Whole Foods Local Producer Loan Program for meeting their high standards of business practices in creating and distributing the most innovative new brand of organic tortilla chips on the market today.  

    $20,000 in cash awards given to top environmental education teachers

Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, April 1-30
 

Mayors across southern California are squaring off in April to see whose city can be the most “water wise.”

More than 20 cities, representing over 1.5 million people, are leading efforts for a regional competition between cities to register the most people for an online water conservation pledge. The Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservationwas developed by famed artist and conservationist Wyland and introduces simple changes that residents can make to use water more efficiently.

The mayors are challenging their colleagues in Los Angeles County and Orange County to get into the act — and work together to encourage their residents to become proactive in reducing water waste and pollution. The pledge drive, April 1 – 30, not only helps cities meet conservation goals, such as AB32, it gives residents who make pledges on their city web site or at www.mywaterpledge.com a chance to win more than $15,000 in prizes, including hundreds of tickets to a Los Angeles Angels game, family four packs of Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets, and family passes to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

“Mayors often issue friendly challenges to see whose city has the best football team,” says Wyland, who piloted the Mayor’s Challenge concept to more than 80 south Florida cities in 2009. “We wanted this challenge to give them a way to build that same kind of excitement, but focus it on one of the most important issues southern California will face in the next decade.”

Mayor Mike Gin of Redondo Beach was the first city official in Southern California to accept the challenge. Other mayors, such as Frank Scotto of Torrance, Bob Foster of Long Beach, and Paul Tanaka of Gardena, have followed suit by issuing council resolutions, creating steering committees, and using the city’s “highest” seat to urge their residents to save water, energy, and reduce pollution. The challenge is part of a series of Earth Month initiatives for April that include a televised Earth Month kickoff event in Redondo Beach at noon March 31, and an Earth Month Heroes campaign to recognize the top thirty teachers in Southern California with individual cash awards up to $5,000. Sponsors for the events include Toyota, AES Corporation, and KCAL / KCBS. Other participants include regional water districts, Disneynature, and the Los Angeles County Science Fair.

The city with the highest percentage of residents who make pledges wins. The Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation will include a daily updated “Top Ten” list, so residents can follow along and encourage their friends, families, and neighbors to join in.

Wyland, Toyota, seek nominations for SoCal’s best environmental education teachers

Through our numerous community events, festivals, and school programs, the Wyland Foundation has impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in 2010. Here are just a few of the highlights:

By Adrian Delgado Amigos del Bosque team member

The Wyland Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), USFS Latino Legacy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), partnered with over 20 local agencies and organizations on the coast of Galveston, Texas, in FOCUS (Forests, Ocean, Climate and US), an event using art to explain the relationship and celebrate the connection and roles of people to forests, oceans, watersheds and climate and the need to protect and conserve natural resources.

Some of the local partners included NOAA - National Marine Sanctuaries, Galveston Bay Foundation, Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Artist Boat, local conservation artists Jennifer Parks, Alex Westphal and Rachell Stegall, Soul of a Tree, Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, Texas Forest Service, Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center, The National Weather Service and The Gulf of Mexico Foundation Spanish and Science Club Network.

Internationally renowned artist, Wyland, led kids and adults in a painting a mural which expressed human relationship to watersheds and the connectivity of forests to oceans. USFS Latino Legacy partners, Chikawa, an Aztec cultural group performed emotional interpretive dances inspiring connections between culture and nature. Additional event highlights included sapling giveaways, kayak tours and Hurricane Ike tree sculpture tours provide by various partners.

The Amigos del Bosque (Friends of the Forest) forest information and outreach team represented the U.S. Forest Service/Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) Latino Legacy program whose mission is to educate minorities and all communities about the opportunities to enjoy the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, promote sustainable forest management practices employed to conserve these resources, inspire land stewardship and provide potential career paths in natural resource conservation and management. The Forest Service’s More Kids in the Woods Campaign and the Washington Office Conservation Education Program have supported the Latino Legacy program since 2007.

The USFS/SFASU Latino Legacy station displayed touchable animal furs, snakes, conservation education materials for youth and adults and promotional items featuring Mark Trail, Woodsy Owl, and of course Smokey Bear. Both Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl waded into the crowds of eager children for photo-ops.

Debra Harrell, director of Civil Rights for Region 8, made a special trip to attend the FOCUS event. “Events like FOCUS create a name, a face and a brand for the Forest Service. It introduces young people who are genuinely interested in the environment to us. We need that,” she said.

 

Partnership with the Wyland Foundation promotes environmental awareness and ocean preservation

A project in preparation of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver, Canada

April 6th, 2010

March 24, 2010

Oct. 01, 2009

“In a remote, glistening cove in Taiji, Japan, surrounded by barbed wire and "Keep Out" signs, lies a dark reality. It is here, under cover of night, that the fishermen of the town, driven by a multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry and an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, engage in an unseen hunt. The nature of what they do is so chilling and the consequences are so dangerous to human health that they will go to great lengths to halt anyone from seeing it.” 

— Film Synopsis of “The Cove,” winner of the 2009 Sundance Audience Award