Nim's Island

NIM'S ISLAND Environmental Challenge Contest Winner Announced On Earth Day

April 22, 2008 - EARTH DAY - Classrooms around the country were inspired by Animal Planet's special Nim's Island: Our World - A Reel Thinking Event and were challenged to find ways to protect where they live - their "island." Contestants submitted ideas to the environmental challenge website in hopes of winning a cash prize to fund their project.

The winning project entitled "Going Native" came from Reed Elementary's 5th grade in Lexington, NC who had the idea to purchase native plants to enhance the school grounds and attract native wildlife. According to their submission this "would serve the dual purpose of preserving the environment while educating the students and community to the need and benefits of native plant gardens...and to counteract our own 'ecological footprint' as a school."

The contest charged students with identifying an environmental problem in their area and describing how to solve it in order to preserve, protect and restore. The winner's project was chosen by a team of environmental experts including representatives from National Wildlife Federation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Sanctuary Program, Razoo and Walden Media.

"We're pleased that the winning project improves both the local environment and the environmental learning opportunities for current and future students who will benefit from the restoration of the habitat. Ms. Suggs' students are creating something from which the school and local community will benefit for years to come. Nim would be proud," said Gordon Tichell, EVP of New Media and Strategic Marketing.

The contest was announced during Animal Planet's nationwide broadcast of Nim's Island Our World: A Reel Thinking Event special, a 30-minute program hosted by Jeff Corwin on Wednesday, April 2nd. Entries were accepted through April 11th. Both the NWF and NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program created Nim's Island curriculum and contributed to the Animal Planet special, while Razoo furnished the online entry and voting site at reelthinking.nimsisland.com and is supplying the cash prizes to the contest winners.

"We hope this story will inspire people to take the steps necessary to become real-life conservation heroes, just like Nim," says Carey Stanton, National Wildlife Federation's Senior Director of Education and Integrated Marketing. "The National Wildlife Federation provides programs to help people of all ages conserve our natural resources and protect the environment, and we are especially thrilled about Walden Media's Nim's Island Reel Thinking Environmental Challenge action project contest."

"One of our main missions is to educate the public about the 14 special underwater places that make up our national marine sanctuary system. By partnering with Walden Media, we can reach thousand of kids with the message that they can be stewards of the ocean by learning more about the enchanting ocean environment and helping to protect it, just like Nim," said Daniel J. Basta, director of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

"Razoo exists to create innovative, enjoyable and meaningful ways to make a difference," said Razoo CEO Sebastian Traeger. "We are excited to host and sponsor this contest because it encourages young people to roll-up their sleeves and to make positive change in the world."

"Nim's Island celebrates our natural resources and wildlife," said Gordon Tichell, " We think the film will inspire kids to be the heroes of their own life stories and are so pleased to be working with such great partners to give them an outlet to do that via the Nim's Island Reel Thinking Environmental Challenge."

About Walden Media LLC
Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Walden Media creates films, books and interactive media for the whole family to enjoy together. By working closely with the best talent in film and publishing and by collaborating with educators and parents, Walden Media develops stories that delight and enlighten audiences young and old. Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and education reformer Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media is a subsidiary of Anschutz Film Group.

About NWF
NWF engages millions to speak and act on behalf of wildlife and our environment, believing that education is the key to creating a world where wildlife thrives. NWF teaches children, families and concerned citizens how they can help protect wildlife and our natural world. For more than 70 years, NWF has been connecting people of all ages with nature through award-winning education programs and resources, such as: Backyard Wildlife Habitat(r), Schoolyard Habitats(r), Climate Classroom and Green Hour programs. NWF publishes Your Big Backyard(r) and Ranger Rick(r), the nation's first environmental magazine for kids.

About NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries seeks to increase the public awareness of America's marine resources and maritime heritage by conducting scientific research, monitoring, exploration and educational programs. Today, the sanctuary program manages 13 national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument that together encompass more than 150,000 square miles of America's ocean and Great Lakes natural and cultural resources. Although Nim's Island is an imaginary place, special ocean areas, such as national marine sanctuaries really do exist. These marine protected areas are living classrooms where people can see, touch and learn about our nation's underwater treasures, as well as protect them for future generations.

About Razoo
Razoo is a web-based social enterprise that is building a lifestyle site for philanthropists, making it rewarding and meaningful to make a lasting change in the world. It is based in Washington, DC and has already launched two web products: community.razoo.com a social network for social good and SpeedGranting, a Facebook application that provides crowd-sourced grants.