General DNR News

STATE OF LOUISIANA LAUNCHES "DON'T BE A BIG LOSER" NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN

Baton Rouge, LA – As part of Governor Foster’s press conference today, officials from the America’s WETLAND: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana (AW), launched the campaign’s latest innovation – the “Don’t Be a Big Loser” advertising campaign – to inform the state, nation and world of what they will lose as America’s WETLAND vanishes.

The elements of the advertising campaign include a series of public service announcements (PSAs), a long form video, brochure, print ads and billboards. The America’s WETLAND “Don’t Be a Big Loser” billboards have been on display on a very-limited basis in Baton Rouge since May 2003.

The fast-paced, entertaining and educational 30-second PSAs will help focus national attention on the issue of Louisiana’s coastal land loss. Each spot features little known factoids that describe a vast wetland of world ecological significance and of strategic importance to our national economic and energy security.

“This past year, the state has worked to raise awareness about Louisiana’s coastal land loss with statewide outreach. Now, as Louisiana’s wetland loss becomes a top priority, the ‘Don’t Be a Big Loser” ad campaign will help move this issue from local and state levels to national and world status,” said Sidney Coffee, public affairs director, Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities.

Louisiana’s wetlands are the wintering habitat for millions of waterfowl and migratory birds whose habitat is lost as the wetlands disappear, and more than 30 percent of the nation’s fisheries catch comes from offshore Louisiana. The nation also relies on these working wetlands, which provide protection for the oil and gas pipelines that serve as a major artery for delivering 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply to heat our homes and power our cars.

Announced by Governor Foster in August 2002 at the annual meeting of the Southern Governors’ Association, the America’s WETLAND campaign will raise public awareness and will gain support for efforts to save coastal Louisiana. The initiative is supported by a growing cadre of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth.

To find out more about the America’s WETLAND: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana, visitwww.americaswetland.com.

For more information, contact:

Sidney Coffee, Public Affairs Director
Office of the Governor/Coastal Activities
(225) 342-4844 or (225) 603-3698

Scott Samson, Account Executive
Pacific Visions Communications
(202) 387-8550