Wyland Foundation

Founded in 1993, by renowned marine life muralist and conservationist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation is a 501c3 charity dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world's ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness by bringing communities together and inspiring thousands of people each year to become more positive, solution-oriented. stewards of our global marine resources. Our vision is a world where clean water and a healthy ocean is sustained forever by knowledgeable, compassionate people around the world. What we aim to solve Ocean and coasts provide key services that are essential to life. In addition to the food they provide to ... read more Founded in 1993, by renowned marine life muralist and conservationist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation is a 501c3 charity dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world's ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness by bringing communities together and inspiring thousands of people each year to become more positive, solution-oriented. stewards of our global marine resources. Our vision is a world where clean water and a healthy ocean is sustained forever by knowledgeable, compassionate people around the world. What we aim to solve Ocean and coasts provide key services that are essential to life. In addition to the food they provide to the world, oceans regulate climate, provide oxygen, and support a diversity of life that is critical to maintaining the global ecological balance. These systems are under increasing stress from land-based activities, including runoff from chemicals, nutrient pollution, industrial and residential waste, and increasing demands for food. 80% of marine pollution originates on land. How Wyland Foundation programs work Wyfo uses a range of programs and strategies to promote a better understanding of the causes of marine pollution and promote sustained and effective actions to reduce land-based impacts on the marine environment. It is VERY people based and works with institutions of every level and size to build a national community of solution-oriented stewards of our ocean, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Programs range from national civic programs like our natl mayor's challenge for water conservation, to our national art challenge, to our community arts and murals, to our interactive learning mazes and traveling clean water mobile learning center Our goals include: 1) Promoting understanding of the human relationship to watersheds and the global water cycle 2) Raising awareness about the ways upstream activities contribute to non-point and source pollution 3) Increasing the willingness of individuals to change behavior to reduce runoff MAJOR PROGRAMS Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation A friendly community-based competition between cities across the nation to see who can be the most water wise. Presented nationally by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with major support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National League of Cities, ECOS, and the Toro Company. Now in its eighth year, the campaign had its strongest national impact to date in 2018 with residents from more than 3,000 cities pledging to take 740,000 specific actions over the next year to change the way they use water in their homes, yards, and communities. Wyland National Art Challenge More than 25,000 students across 45 states have taken part in this annual challenge to use art as a method of exploring the economic, cultural, and aesthetic value of our ocean, lakes, rivers, steams, and wetlands. In the last five years, the Wyland Foundation and its partners have provided schools in over 400 cities with paint supplies, educational materials, and 50 square foot canvases murals to creatively depict the many ways water shapes our lives. Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience This 1,000 square foot interactive science center on wheels has logged over 100,000 miles and inspires up to 30,000 students every year. The "MLE" shows the impact our communities have on water quality, biodiversity, and water supplies. The exhibit includes a 40-person onboard multi-sensory theater, computer model simulations, and interactive models with actual running water and rain. Our newest exhibit on nutrient pollution addresses one of the nation's most important emerging environmental issues. Special thanks to National Van Lines and the US Forest Service for their continued support. *All Wyland Foundation initiatives are supported with custom created classroom education materials, including lesson plans, and activities INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Wyland World Water Pledge On World Oceans Day 2017, the Wyland Foundation's joint partnership with the United Nations Environment Program was created to protect the global marine environment through the Wyland World Water Pledge, a 10-year outreach program to inspire and engage people about the sustainable use of the planet's ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The program ties directly to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. The Wyland World Water Pledge (wylandworldwaterpledge.com), includes an online tool that connects people from all nations to a digital commons of UN Environment identified water-based issues and challenges (hotspots) around the world, and encourages residents to make a series of pledges online to save water, cut pollution, promote healthy habitats, and consume more sustainably. The foundation continues this initiative with our effort to bring attention to Fresh Water Hope spots around the world. LOCAL / REGIONAL Adopt-A-Channel The Wyland Foundation has partnered with the Orange County Conservation Corps and OC Flood Control to adopt the Laguna Canyon Channel, spanning .86 miles from Canyon Acres Road to Forest Avenue. We are overseeing maintenance to remove graffiti and debris from the channel, keeping any remains from reaching the ocean. The Adopt-A-Channel program was piloted by Disneyland Resort and provides a vital service in countywide conservation efforts Communities in Need The Wyland Foundation continues its efforts to reach underserved communities across southern California, from south central Los Angeles to El Centro. Since 2011, the foundation has organized outreach tours with the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience, along with guest educators, to provide environmental education to budget-strapped areas. The program has inspired over 10,000 young people to understand the relationship between ocean health and human impacts upstream and make positive behavior changes to better their community and environment. Earth Month Heroes Wyland Foundation in partnership with KCAL / KCBS and Toyota continues to honor individuals across Southern California who are having a positive impact on our environment by making a contribution to the environmental charity of their choice. The campaign is in conjunction with a month-long series of Wyland Foundation public service announcements on KCBS / KCAL promoting smart water use and environmental consciousness in southern California Art Lessons in the Wild The Wyland Foundation has teamed up with Dana Wharf during the winter gray whale migration season to offer Wyland Dolphin and Whale Adventures, "Art Lessons in the Wild." This three-hour activity aboard a 63' Catamaran included a dockside presentation and art lesson, via video feed, by Wyland and an excursion at sea with an experienced naturalist.