Nickelodeon's Victoria Justice and Victorious Cast Host The Big Help Earth Day Programming From New Orleans-Area Restoration Project

NEW YORK, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon will go green for Earth Day when the network encourages kids to take positive actions for the environment via The Big Help pro-social campaign and airs special episodes of its popular live-action and animated shows, on April 22.  The Big Help Earth Day block, airing in primetime, will be hosted by Victorious stars Victoria Justice, Daniella Monet and Leon Thomas on location in Louisiana, where they participated in the network's "The Big Help Earth Day in the Gulf" restoration project to refurbish the St. Bernard Parish wetlands outside of New Orleans.  The cast will highlight the work and activities from the restoration project throughout the hour-long block that features a new episode of Victorious, guest-starring Ke$ha, airing at 8 p.m. (all times ET/PT), and a green-themed episode of Big Time Rush ("Green Time Rush") at 8:30 p.m.  Nick Jr. and Nicktoons will also celebrate Earth Day: Nick Jr. will air 24 hours of themed programming, and Nicktoons will present a week-long "Dib Saves the Earth" marathon April 18 - 22 at 5 p.m.

"During our The Big Help Earth Day event, we will showcase how kids across the country are taking a leadership role in eco-friendly projects in their communities," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group.  "The kids of St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana are an integral part of that community's effort to shore up the fragile eco-system and levees devastated by Hurricane Katrina and last year's oil spill.  These young people are taking positive actions for a cause they care about, which is a true representation of our Big Help initiative."

Nickelodeon's "The Big Help Earth Day in the Gulf" restoration project in St. Bernard Parish celebrated the ongoing efforts of the community's long-term project for high school students to restore the cypress tree canopy that was once an important barrier to flooding.  The initiative was a collaboration of the local school system, 4-H and community leaders.  A tree-planting and celebratory event took place on April 8 at Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish that was produced in partnership with National Wildlife Federation, St. Bernard Parish Schools, 4-H and with the support of Cox Communications.  

NBA All-Star Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets) and the three stars from Victorious participated in "The Big Help Earth Day in the Gulf," working with students from St. Bernard Parish public schools to plant 300 cypress trees that will protect the wetlands.  The trees play a critical role in the ecosystem and are the first line of defense against hurricanes.  To help expand the project to include a mentoring component with the middle school in the future, Nickelodeon presented a $25,000 donation to St. Bernard Parish Schools.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Nickelodeon will present eco-themed programming across its channels and web sites.  Nickelodeon will air a special preschool programming block beginning at 7 a.m., featuring a new episode of Bubble Guppies ("Boy Meets Squirrel") at 9:30 a.m.  In addition, on-air messages offering parents information on green activities they can do with their little ones all year round will appear throughout the morning block.  In primetime, Nickelodeon will premiere Big Time Rush: "Green Time Rush," which features the gang taking part in a classroom competition to make the Palm Woods more environmentally friendly.  Things go wrong when Kendall and Logan end up with undesirable partners and Carlos and James' efforts to start an organic farm in the crib lead to a cow on the loose in the hallways.  "Green Time Rush" will air at 8:30 p.m. and will be preceded at 8 p.m. by a brand-new episode of Victorious, "Ice Cream for Ke$ha," guest-starring the pop star and featuring a performance of her latest hit single, "Blow."  

Leading up to Earth Day, a series of PSAs featuring Victorious stars Victoria Justice and Leon Thomas that offer kids tips on how to be more eco-conscious are currently airing on Nickelodeon, TeenNick and Nicktoons.  

Nick Jr. and Nicktoons programming will also go green: Nick Jr. will feature 24 hours of eco-themed episodes of Go, Diego, Go!; Dino Dan; Ni Hao, Kai-lan; OLIVIA; Wow! Wow! Wubbzy; and more. Nicktoons will present a week-long "Dib Saves the Earth" Invader Zim mini-marathon April 18 - 22 at 5 p.m.  While Dib is doing his part, Nicktoons will be sharing tips with viewers on easy actions they can take to protect the planet.

Nickelodeon is also taking the green messaging online to its websites.  Nick.com will introduce all-new eco-friendly actions in The Big Help Club House, where kids can earn virtual rewards if they officially pledge to take real-world actions to plant trees in their communities, explore a science career, or conserve water regularly.  Additionally, Nick.com is offering a slate of green-themed casual games featuring popular properties including iCarly, Big Time Rush, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly OddParents and more.  TeenNick.com and Nicktoons.com will also highlight Earth Day.  

For more information about Nickelodeon's Earth Day activities or to download artwork and video clips from Nick's green-themed programming, visit http://www.nickpress-thebighelpearthday.com.

Nickelodeon's The Big Help campaign is a global, multiplatform pro-social initiative designed to empower kids to take action on issues that are important to them.  The campaign focuses on four key issues–the environment, education, health and wellness and community service– and aims to connect kids with tools and information to help them become positive agents of change in their communities.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.  Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon