Inspiring the Next Generation of Watershed Stewards: The Bay Institute Launches $3 Million Campaign for Watershed Literacy

NOVATO, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to the urgent need to inspire young people to lifelong action to protect San Francisco Bay and its vast watershed, The Bay Institute has launched the "Campaign for Watershed Literacy," a $3 million fundraising campaign.  This Campaign provides donors with opportunities to support various cause- and program-specific initiatives of The Bay Institute and its affiliate Aquarium of the Bay.    

"The Campaign for Watershed Literacy empowers individuals, corporations and foundations to take an active role in inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards," said John Frawley, president and CEO of The Bay Institute.  "With its program-specific opportunities, donors can match their own passions with the educational outreach, research and conservation efforts led by The Bay Institute and Aquarium of the Bay."

Some of the funding opportunities supporting The Bay Institute include sponsoring a San Francisco high school student internship for a summer education program; helping the STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) Project purchase a biodiesel truck to further its efforts, which have restored more than 20 miles of creek banks over the past 18 years; and supporting Watershed Week, a free teacher training institute where Bay Area teachers study local ecology, learn hands-on methods of scientific inquiry and share ideas about integrating environmental fieldwork with classroom curricula.

Funding opportunities related to Aquarium of the Bay include adopting a Sevengill shark to help further groundbreaking tagging and tracking research; supporting the Aquarium's free education programs and tours for Bay Area school children—an effort that engages more than 15,000 K-12 students each year; providing care for animals in the Aquarium's climate change-focused exhibit; and contributing to the purchase of a hybrid van to transport marine animals, artifacts, laptops and technology, and science equipment to underserved school science classrooms.

Contributions can be made at www.bay.org/contribute/support-watershed-literacy.  Organizations interested in supporting the Campaign for Watershed Literacy can contact Susan Kavet, Development Director, at 415.623.5346 or [email protected].

One of the most effective and respected conservation organizations in the region, The Bay Institute is now able to reach more than a half million visitors a year at Aquarium of the Bay, a world-class aquatic nature center dedicated to San Francisco Bay. The Bay Institute, through its affiliate The Bay Institute Aquarium Foundation, purchased Aquarium of the Bay on June 11, 2009, with major support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, and an anonymous donor.

About The Bay Institute

The Bay Institute is the leader in protecting, restoring and inspiring conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed — from the Sierra to the sea. For nearly 30 years, The Bay Institute has been developing and leading model scientific research, habitat restoration, education and advocacy programs to preserve California's most important natural resource. Learn more at www.bay.org .

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John Frawley

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SOURCE The Bay Institute