Environmental artist Wyland launches solar-powered Clean Water Challenge Tour for children across Southern California, Jan. 12-30
LOS ANGELES — He’s barged down the Mississippi River. Trekked from Alaska to Mexico. And cleaned up the East Coast. Now, marine life artist and conservation advocate Wyland continues his efforts to promote sustainable use of our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands at Southern California schools, Jan. 12-30.
In partnership with the Ocean Institute of Dana Point, the artist’s Clean Water Mobile Learning Centre will visit elementary and middle schools in Orange and Los Angeles County. The 1,000 square foot mobile centre includes interactive exhibits — from an actual running river to falling rain over an urban watershed — to encourage students to prepare for what is believed to be a drier future in California. “Educating primary and secondary school children about water conservation helps ensure that the message is taken home to parents,” the artist says. “
Climate models and population estimates in the state of California indicate that water supplies will become more limited. Each activity aboard the clean water mobile centre encourages students to engage, play, experiment and learn about ocean, lake and river management, non-point pollution, and the importance of water conservation and quality. The vehicle recently toured four cities in Baja California, reaching 20,000 Mexican students, in partnership with the Sempra Energy Foundation.
As part of the Southern California tour, Akeena Solar will use solar energy to power the centre, essentially taking the exhibit of the “grid.” In combination with the centre's use of bio-diesel fuel, the use of solar energy significantly minimizes its carbon footprint and demonstrates the benefits of incorporating alternative energy to present conservation education.
In 1998, water quality in the United States began to decline for the first time since the 1970s. During the same year, Wyland launched the Wyland Ocean Challenge, an ambitious national tour of 50 states in 50 days to raise awareness about healthy oceans. Now, the artist’s 501c3 non-profit foundation has expanded its mission to educate and inspire people everywhere about the importance of protecting all aquatic habitats, including an interactive online “water pledge” kiosk where families can learn about and make electronic pledges to reduce pollution, conserve water and change habits. The foundation hopes to encourage people to reduce water waste by 20,000,000 gallons over the next year.
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