For Immediate Use Contact: Wendy Dalia: (415) 388-2524
May 26, 2010

San Francisco, CA – Five hundred elementary school students from San Francisco and Marin County on the morning of May 27 will form a giant albatross design on the sand at Ocean Beach to publicize the need to protect marine environments. The group art project, viewable from the air, will take place after a beach clean up, part of the 17th Annual Kids’ Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup. Similar events will be taking place on six beaches up and down the California coast.

The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is organizing the San Francisco event and giving presentations to the children in their schools prior to May 27. The event, honoring World Ocean Day, is being organized statewide by the California Coastal Commission.

Children will arrive at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, across from the Beach Chalet restaurant, between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. on May 27. They will form their giant albatross and message at 12:15 p.m. for a great aerial photo.

“This is a great event for kids,” said Wendy Dalia, education director at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. “It is an opportunity for students to tell the world that they care about the oceans, that they can make a difference, and that we can all help protect this delicate ecosystem. Then they’ll funnel all that positive energy into this fantastic art project.”

In addition to the giant albatross, students will also spell out “SUSTAIN LIFE,” referring to the need for people to take action to keep marine life – and therefore all of us – healthy. This message also reflects the U.N. Millennium Development Goal to ensure environmental sustainability.

Participating schools from San Francisco include Sunset Elementary, Ulloa Elementary and Francis Scott Key Elementary. Marin County schools include Bahia Vista Elementary (San Rafael) and Willow Creek Academy (Marin City).

"The children are sending us a message," said Bonnie Neely, Chair of the California Coastal Commission. "Ocean life is under threat from so many sources. The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a tangible reminder of the ocean's vulnerability. It is up to all of us to help sustain life in the ocean – life on earth depends on it."

The Coastal Commission coordinates the program statewide and provides financial support from the Whale Tail License Plate Fund.

The California Coastal Commission is the statewide coordinator of the Kids’ Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup, the year-round Adopt-A-Beach program, and Coastal Cleanup Day. All of these programs are funded by the generous support of the Whale Tail License Plate Fund. Over 189,000 plates have been sold since 1996, raising nearly $15.7 million dollars for marine education and protection. For more information about the California Coastal Commission’s programs and how to buy a Whale Tail Plate, call (800) COAST-4U or visit www.coastforyou.org.

About the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay and operates under the auspices of Audubon California. Primarily a Sanctuary providing habitat for migratory waterbirds and other wildlife, it also offers ways for the community to connect with the Bay through education, conservation and restoration programs.

Learn more at richardsonbay.audubon.org