July 11, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 322

For more information contact Kim Cole, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 302-739-3436 or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                                  “Thank You Delaware Bay” Holds Casting Call for Video 
                                           in DNREC’s Building at the Delaware State Fair

HARRINGTON, Del. - Delaware Bay enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to express their appreciation of the bay’s beauty and amenities in a new Thank You Delaware Bay video. The open casting call for dynamic and environmentally-committed Delawareans will be held July 17 - 26 at the Thank You Delaware Bay exhibit in DNREC’s building located on East Rider Road at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.

“People are passionate about all the bay has to offer – its food, jobs, recreational experiences and natural resources,” said Kimberly Cole, manager of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and DNREC’s Thank You Delaware Bay coordinator. “The taping is a chance for them to share their experiences of the Delaware Bay in a reality video. Selected tapings will be edited and featured on the Thank You Delaware Bay website throughout the year.”

People who take part in the filming will be asked to describe why they are thankful for the Delaware Bay. Props, including fishing rods, birdwatching binoculars, hiking equipment and other materials, will be available to add an element of authenticity and interest to the filming.

“The Delaware Bay belongs to everyone,” continued Cole. “We encourage children and families to take part. We hope that as people discover more about the Delaware Bay, they will help protect this irreplaceable gift of nature.”

The video is part of the Thank You Delaware Bay campaign launched Feb. 12 and developed to raise awareness and instill a sense of personal connection with the bay. The campaign slogan – The Delaware Bay Takes Care of Us. Let’s Return the Favor – and new logo – TYDB – are used in print advertisements, promotional materials and public service announcements to promote bay stewardship and direct people to the website, www.thankyoudelawarebay.org which serves as a comprehensive portal for Delaware Bay information. The website invites visitors to experience the bay, get involved, be heard and take steps to protect the bay for future generations to enjoy.

Thank You Delaware Bay is a partnership among the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Delaware Coastal Programs, The Nature Conservancy, and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. The campaign is inspired by the “Thank You Ocean” campaign developed in California and made possible, in part, through funding from the State of Delaware Department of National Resources and Environmental Control, through a grant from the Delaware Coastal Programs with funding from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For more information visit, www.thankyoudelawarebay.org