Miami Seaquarium Announces Special in Honor of Lolita's 40th Anniversary

It's a "whale" of a celebration - Lolita's 40th Anniversary at Miami Seaquarium - and what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion in park history than to give back to wildlife charities.  In honor of Lolita's 40th Anniversary, Miami Seaquarium has created the Give $4 - Save 40% program. All summer long, for a $4 donation to help save wildlife affected by the BP Oil Spill, the park will offer a 40% discount on admission. The Give $4 - Save 40% promotion will benefit the following charities: the Audubon Nature Institute, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Sea to Shore Alliance and Sea Turtle Conservancy.  Guests will be given the opportunity to choose which charity will receive their donation.  The offer, which runs until October 21, is only available with a donation form that can be found on www.miamiseaquarium.com.


Guests may choose from the following four charities:


Audubon Nature Institute
The Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program (LMMSTRP), coordinated by Audubon Aquarium of the Americas since 1993, has been designated as the primary responder for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of all marine mammals (dolphins, whales and manatees) and sea turtles along the Louisiana coast.  Audubon is working closely with many other organizations including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, NOAA, and the U.S. Coast Guard to monitor the situation and respond to stranded and injured marine wildlife in the Gulf. More information is available at http://www.auduboninstitute.org/gulf-oil-spill-resources.


National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works to preserve and restore the nation's native wildlife species and habitats. NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private funds. The  foundation works with a full complement of individuals, foundations, government agencies,
nonprofits and corporations to identify and fund the nation's most intractable conservation challenges.


Sea to Shore Alliance
Sea to Shore Alliance (Sea2Shore) brings expertise, passion, and vision to help reverse the destruction of aquatic environments and the loss of species diversity.  Sea2Shore specialists use science and education to reduce threats to endangered aquatic species, such as manatees and sea turtles.  Sea2Shore is working with the oil response team and flying along the northern gulf coast to search for manatees that are threatened or injured by the BP oil spill. Sea2Shore partners with the Miami Seaquarium and other members of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership to rescue, rehabilitate and release sick and injured manatees. 


Sea Turtle Conservancy
The Sea Turtle Conservancy, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is the world's oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. An international nonprofit, Sea Turtle Conservancy was founded to save sea turtles from eminent extinction through rigorous science-based conservation. Headquartered in Florida, the organization carries out worldwide programs to conserve and recover sea turtle populations through research,  education, advocacy and protection of the natural habitats. 


About Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium, South Florida's most popular tourist attraction, is a family-oriented marine-life park open to the public 365 days a year. The park provides visitors with a greater understanding and appreciation for marine life through shows, presentations and marine-life exhibits. General admission to Miami Seaquarium is $37.95 and $27.95 for children (ages 3-9).  More information on Miami Seaquarium is available at www.miamiseaquarium.com.

Area Simon Malls Hosting "Gifts for the Gulf"

"Gifts for the Gulf" Will Support Florida Audubon, Raising Awareness and Funds for the Wildlife Affected by the Gulf Oil Spill 

 
Dadeland Mall, The Falls (Kendall), The Shops at Sunset Place (South Miami) and Coral Square Mall (Coral Springs) are part of 15 Simon Malls across the state of Florida opening their doors on Sat., July 24 and Sun. July 25 to raise awareness and funds to help birds, other wildlife and our Florida beaches that are being threatened by the Gulf oil spill.  To benefit Florida Audubon, Simon Property Group's "Gifts for the Gulf" will showcase displays of shorebirds nesting on beaches and offer shoppers important information about the wildlife affected by the oil spill crisis.

Mall shoppers on July 24-25 from noon-5pm will have the opportunity to learn about how certain birds nest on our beaches and are in harm's way if clean-up operations are not carefully conducted. Florida Audubon leaders and volunteers will also share facts about a number of birds affected and offer tips on protecting wildlife and our beaches during this time. A coloring station will be available for childre, who will receive complimentary coloring sheets of different birds. Special t-shirts will be on sale and monetary donations will be accepted to help support the goals of Florida Audubon's "Gulf Oil Spill" response efforts, which are to rescue Florida's coastal animals and assist in rehabilitating our birds and beaches.

"Florida Audubon is focused on protecting birds and habitats during and after this disastrous oil spill," said Eric Draper, Florida Audubon president. "Audubon connects people with nature so we can all join in the fight to keep the sand clean, the marshes and beaches alive, and our birds flying. We welcome Simon Malls as collaborators connecting their customers with the great cause of protecting our beautiful state and living beaches."

"Simon Property Group is proud to support Florida Audubon to raise awareness for our shorebirds and seabirds that are under potential threat from the Gulf oil spill," said Lynnette Lauria, regional vice president of marketing, Florida, Simon Property Group.  "We are thrilled that our malls will serve as a venue in support of this important effort as so many people want to help the many helpless creatures."

For more information about Simon Property Group, please visit www.simon.com.  For more information on how you can help Florida Audubon’s Gulf oil spill response, please visit www.audubonoffloridanews.org.