Last week in September is now officially recognized statewide as Sea

Otter Awareness Week







    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 8 /EMWNews/ -- The California

State Legislature unanimously approved a resolution officially proclaiming

the last week in September as Sea Otter Awareness Week throughout

California.



    "Sea Otter Awareness Week is about informing people of the threats that

sea otters still face every day and about what concerned citizens can do to

help sea otters make a thriving comeback," said Jim Curland, marine program

associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "Education is the first step in

transforming people's affection for sea otters into actions that can make a

difference in saving the marine environment that sea otters call home."



    State Sen. Abel Maldonado authored the resolution and spearheaded this

initiative as a way to recognize Sea Otter Awareness Week and its

importance to sea otter conservation. The formal designation also

underscores the important role that Californians play in helping recover

the endangered southern sea otter.



    "As the senator who represents one-third of the California coast, the

preservation of our diverse ecosystem has always been one of my top

priorities. It has been my honor to author this important resolution, which

reminds people of the vital role sea otters play in our coastal

environment," said Sen. Maldonado. "I am pleased that my legislative

colleagues recognized the importance of this resolution and I look forward

to celebrating Sea Otter Awareness Week."



    Highlights for this year's Sea Otter Awareness Week will include

exciting events such as a series of free educational presentations,

lectures and special showings of the film, "Precipice of Survival: The

Southern Sea Otter," produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. Aquariums and

zoos throughout North America will participate in educational activities to

celebrate the sea otter's role in the coastal marine ecosystem. Activities

will take place on Sept. 21-27, 2008 in the Monterey Bay area, San Mateo,

Santa Barbara, Ventura and as far away as Homer, Alaska.



    This year's sixth annual celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week

promises to reach even more people than ever. Elected officials from cities

throughout California, and for the first time ever, mayors from cities

across the country and in Canada, including Seattle and Vancouver,

Washington, and Victoria, British Columbia, have also officially proclaimed

Sea Otter Awareness Week.



    But in no other state have sea otters succeeded in capturing the hearts

of residents as they have in California. So far this year, state taxpayers

have generously donated $253,350, thanks to a voluntary check-off on state

tax returns. The fund has already met the minimum amount needed to remain

on the state income-tax form and is on track to surpass last year's

contributions of $255,000.



    Defenders of Wildlife partnered with marine conservationist Philippe

Cousteau to promote the voluntary check-off for the fund. California

taxpayers have contributed more than a half a million dollars in less than

two years to help recover the sea otter.



    "The thing that makes this accomplishment so impressive is that it

comes at a time when many of us have to cut back on unnecessary expenses,"

said Curland. "I can't imagine a more wonderful display of our commitment

to sea otter conservation and our willingness to invest in the future of

one of the most beloved creatures in California."



    Defenders of Wildlife is joined in this year's Sea Otter Awareness Week

celebration by Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research

Institute, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Monterey Bay area schools,

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Coyote Point Museum, Alaska

SeaLife Center, Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, Alaska Maritime

National Wildlife Refuge, Ty Warner Sea Center, Channel Islands National

Park, various other participants, and more than a dozen aquariums and zoos

in North America.



    Sea Otter Awareness Week is made possible, in part, by a grant through

the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and proudly sponsored by

Defenders of Wildlife, New Leaf Community Markets, Kayak Connection, Aqua

Safaris SCUBA Center, EcoGoods, Monterey Bay Kayaks, Monterey County

Weekly, and other businesses.



    To find out how you can participate in Sea Otter Awareness Week and to

view the week's activities, go to HYPERLINK

"http://www.defenders.org/seaotter/awareness/"

http://www.defenders.org/seaotter/awareness/



    Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native

animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than one million

members and activists, more than 210,000 of which are in California,

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to

safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more

information, visit http://www.defenders.org and http://www.saveseaotters.org.