HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — With the pier in the background and waves crashing behind them, Huntington Beach officials and nonprofit leaders talked about safeguarding local waterways and beaches.
They were there to unveil an art project, each piece modeled off of a baby gray whale. The art exhibition is designed to inspire action toward conservation of the waterways and beaches that area communities and wildlife depend on.
The art pieces, created by Rick Blake, Sharon Frances, and Laura Svette, are symbols of the sustained effort Surf City, the county and other stakeholders have made toward maintaining the coastline and waterways the city and visitors enjoy.
Huntington Beach Mayor Barbara Delgleize introduced the project.
“I hope these pieces get people talking about the reason behind them and the importance of Earth Day,” she said.
Streams of Hope, a partnership with the Wyland Foundation, the Municipal Water District of Orange County, OC Conservation Corps, and Orange County organized the art pieces.
The Wyland Foundation, a Fountain Valley based nonprofit, is responsible for a range of outreach, educational and artistic projects all designed to protect water. The foundation was established in 1993, and in 2008, established a mobile educational program. Schools interested in booking the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center can bring the state-of-the art 1,000 sq. ft. bio-diesel science museum to students.
Delgleize used the reveal to highlight programs the city has encouraged or financed, including development of new pedestrian walkways and bike paths. The city is also transitioning all city vehicles to all electric as it continues to work toward the goals of its green master plan.
The art installation, she said, is a reminder of that these natural resources need protecting.
Steve Creech of the Wyland Foundation was also in attendance.
“This one is really special because it includes everyone,” Creech said. He pointed to artists, politicians, county officials and scientists as key contributors to efforts to promote water conservation and protection.
“We’re coming together because we care about the future,” he said.