2nd Annual
Fans of the Sea Duck Race

Duck Race 2008

September 20, 2008

Location: Houston Downtown Aquarium

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Ways you can Participate in the 2nd Annual Duck Race

The 2nd annual Fans of the Sea Duck Race will be held on September 20, 2008 at the Houston Downtown Aquarium. Fans of the Sea, is a project of MarineBio.org, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization. This event is designed to promote ocean conservation and the awareness of marine creatures. The focus of this year's Duck Race will be a commitment to YOUTH. As stated by Sylvia Earl, Ph.D., we need to take a child to the beach, the lake or a river to let them explore the mysteries offered by our waterways. This year we will be dedicated to exploring the many ways we can involve youth in the conservation of our water resources.

You can participate in this worthy cause by
1. Purchasing a Rubber Duck for $10 or 5 Ducks for $25.
2. Purchasing a Corporate Duck (5 foot Duck) for $150.
3. Becoming a Corporate Sponsor for $1,000.
4. Be a duck distributer… Schools and clubs are needed to help sell ducks.

Funds raised in this event will be used to promote ocean conservation. DVD's will be sent to 1,000 schools around the world. The purpose of these videos is to educate youth about the need for ocean conservation. The future of our planet is in the hands of our youth. They need to be aware of the many issues that are facing the health of our oceans. Oil companies and many other industries made necessary changes to prevent contamination to the waters, but today we are faced with many new concerns like global warming, over fishing and over population. Valuable species like the shark, sea turtle and tuna have been put in jeopardy because man has not stopped to look at the consequences of overfishing and overpopulation. The result in this oversight will be unsustainable fish stocks, reef destruction and the loss of habitat.

The future is today… In the past decade, we talked about what was going to happen to our oceans, but today, we can look in current magazines, newspapers and news articles about the issues facing our oceans. In 2006 we lost the white dolphin to extinction, 2007 we lost the salmon population in Ireland and the 2008 Washington salmon season was cancelled due to the critical state of the salmon fish stock. It is too late to make changes for some species, but it is not too late to make a positive difference in our future. Our goal is to increase awareness to the public and provide the public with a portal to allow them to be involved. We ask members of Fans of the Sea to commit to one day a month to promote ocean conservation. This can be accomplished by taking a child to the beach, participating in a beach clean-up, writing a congressman, saving a stranded turtle or dolphin, and the list goes on. The goal is to get involved. Talk is cheap… we need action. Join Fans of the Sea today…

Benefits

Fans of the Sea
Funds raised will allow Fans of the Sea to promote the conservation of our ocean's resources. The first project will be to distribute DVD's on Ocean Conservation to 1,000 schools around the world. Secondly, projects that involve conservation will be supported and funds will help connect manpower to conservation projects. As we discover new projects around the world we find that they are in the need of funding and volunteers. Through Fans of the Sea a link can be established to connect the two. The public wants to be involved, but there is a lack of communication between the organizations and the individuals. Through DVD's, websites and newsletters, the link can be established.

Duck Owners
Individuals who purchase a duck will have a rubber duck placed in the Buffalo Bayou next to the Houston Downtown Aquarium. As the water flows downstream, the ducks will approach the finish line. The first 100 ducks will receive a prize. Prizes will range from a trip to scuba training. The goal is to have fun and learn about ocean conservation. During the event, there will be numerous booths promoting conservation on the property of the Downtown Aquarium.

Corporate Duck Owners
Companies and organizations that purchase one of the 5 foot rubber ducks, will be entering a race down Buffalo Bayou to win a chance to be highlighted in the DVD's that will be distributed to 1,000 schools around the world. What a great way to show your support and market your product to the world.

Corporate Sponsors
Corporate sponsors are needed to underwrite the event. In appreciation of their support, corporate sponsors will be displayed on t-shirts, banners and throughout the DVD's. Our goal is to have 20 corporate sponsors for the 2008 Duck Race. Funds will be used to advertise the event and pay for rubber ducks, flyers and other items needed to prepare for the event.

Schools and Clubs
Schools and clubs are needed to help sell rubber ducks. Schools and clubs will receive 10% of the funds raised by the group. Schools and clubs will also receive the 4 disc set of DVD's on Ocean Conservation. They will be listed in the DVD's as well as on the website. This is another way to get involved in the concept of ocean conservation.

Day of the Race Booths

The Duck Race is around the corner. I hope everyone is excited about this event. Our goal is to get the word out about Ocean Conservation. At this event we will be highlighting ways our youth can help promote ocean conservation.

This is what you need to know about the event:

1. Please E-mail us at info@duckrace2008.com so we can confirm your booth and your needs.
2. Please indicate if you need:
   1. Electricity (limited availability)
   2. If you can bring a canopy
3. First come first serve.We have placed booths in areas I feel they would best benefit from the traffic. If your booth is appropriate, please indicate no change. Booth placement: booths 7-14 will be under a large canopy. Booths 1-6 and 15-18 do not have a covering. You will either need to bring your own canopy, if you want shade.
4. You will have a 6-foot table and two chairs. You will need some type of covering for your table.
5. Parking is free for those who work your booth and for volunteers.
6. The Set up is at 9:00 am. If you need to be earlier, please contact me. We will take down exhibits at 5:00 PM. Expect a few 1,000 people (up to 12,000) to be at the Aquarium throughout the day. As you know not all will take materials.
7. The Aquarium has requested that we not sell any items at our booth that will compete with their gift shop. Handouts, memberships, donations and give-a-ways are acceptable.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for this event. Below are a few needs.

1. Selling Ducks... Our goal is to sell 10,000 ducks and we need your help.
2. Preparation for the duck Race: numbering ducks, handing out posters, recording ducks in the computer, etc
3. Getting Sponsors
4. Some of the Booths need coverage because they are around the world and cannot make tthe event, but they have an important message to share.
5. Plus much more the day of the Duck Race. (Direct traffic to the bayou, bring giant ducks to the bayou, bring ducks to bridge, kayaks in water to redirect ducks, Netting ducks at the finish line, transporting ducks from bayou to the stage area.)

This is a fun event and we hope you can help us spead the word about Ocean Conservation...

10:00 to 5:00: Action Packed Booths on Conservation and Aquatic Activities

1:00 am: Ducks Enter the Water with the Help of Sharky (The Aquarium mascot)

2:00 pm: Sharky Picks out the winning Ducks

3:00 pm: Announcement of Prize Winners

2:00 to 5:00 pm: Guest Speakers Talk about Conservation Issues: Sharks, Manatees, Dolphins, Turtles, Reefs and Ocean Health.

Be Sure to Check out MarineBio's Kids Page

Mind Games for Kids

Funds raise will go to support Ocean Conservation Organizations and the distribution of 1,000 educational videos to schools and youth organizations around the world. Fans of the Sea and the Houston Hammerhead Dive an Snorkel Club will work together to facility the distribution of funds.

The Downtown Aquarium will be hosting the 1st Annual Rubber Duck Race on Sunday, September 30th. Funds raised through this event will be used to support conservation programs and promote conservation awareness through education.

The Duck race, which begins at 10:00 a.m., is a unique family-friendly fundraiser, which allows people to GET a numbered plastic duck to compete with other in a race down Buffalo Bayou, powered by the wind and current, toward the finish line. The "parents" of the first one hundred ducks will compete for primary prizes and other parents will be put into a drawing for the remaining prizes. The cost to GET a duck is $10.00 and Corporate Ducks are $150.00. Conservation Organizations will be exhibiting and distributing materials throughout the event. Entries received prior to the race day, will receive a "buy one get one free all-day adventure pass" coupon. Each pass includes unlimited access to Shark Voyage, Aquarium Adventure Exhibit, Ferris Wheel, Carousel, and Lighthouse Dive at The Downtown Aquarium. In addition, each entry will receive a "free appetizer of the day with the purchase of an adult entrée" coupon for the Aquarium Restaurant.

• The Houston Downtown Aquarium
• Fans of the Sea
• Scuba Bob's Ocean Quest

Its time to get a Duck...

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for more information please e-mail us at

information@duckrace2008.com

or

832-202-4505