Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet’s “River Monsters” to discuss conservation during Annual Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER BENEFIT CHAIRS FINALIZE PLANS FOR MARCH 5 EVENT

 Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet’s “River Monsters” to discuss conservation

According to leadership at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, catching Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet’s wildly-popular “River Monsters,” is like catching a fish – you must be in the right place at the right time.  Science seekers and monster enthusiasts are in luck, however, as Wade will be making a rare land appearance as the guest presenter at the Science Center’s annual benefit. On Thursday, March 5, 2015, he will treat guests to a lively discussion about conservation, drawing anecdotes from his world-wide travels.

“We are thrilled that Jeremy Wade, host of ‘River Monsters,’ will be our guest speaker at this year’s benefit event,”said 2015 benefit co-chair, Frances Fisher.  “Wade’s experience and travel is sure to ignite an exciting conversation about conservation, which we can apply to our efforts locally. The Science Center continues to be the leader in informal science education in our community, routinely expanding the Center and its offerings. In fact, they will soon have a new early childhood education exhibition and a brand new 18-hole golf course, appropriately named the ‘Conservation Course.’ ‘Get Hooked!’ is timely and relevant to everyone and every age group.”

Chairmen for the spring-time benefit include: Lew and Kathleen Crampton, Jeffrey and Frances Fisher, Benjamin and Elizabeth Gordon, Matthew and Heléne Lorentzen and John and Heidi Niblack.  Host committee chairmen are: Howard Cox, Stuart and Allison Haft, Dr. Carter and Afsy Pottash, Heath and Karly Randolph, Eric and Lucinda Stonestrom.  Stewardship council chairmen are Dale Hedrick and Harvey Oyer, III. Corporate sponsors are Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, PNC Private Bank and Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach. The media sponsor is Palm Beach Illustrated.

In addition to the March 5 benefit, Wade will make a special appearance at the Science Center  on March 6 for Explorers’ Night Out, a family event which  serves as an additional benefit. Wade’s presentation to families will highlight the importance of ecology and conservation.  Reaching children of all ages is a personal goal because, as he says, “they really get into strange names and obscure facts, becoming an ideal audience for conservation messages.”

Jeremy Wade is a biologist, extreme angler and writer specializing in travel and natural history. He is best known for using fishing as a means to look beneath the surface of human life in remote places.  An expert in ecology, rivers and conservation, Wade’s objective is to teach about animals which people are unfamiliar, his philosophy being "you can't care about what you don't know about."  Animal Planet’s most popular show, “River Monsters” was created to advocate for an appreciation of animals, delivering ecological and environmental lessons with a fine mix of suspense-filled entertainment.  Along the way Wade survived a near-fatal dose of malaria in the Congo, been arrested for spying in South-East Asia and experienced a plane crash in the Amazon.

Tickets for the March 5 event are $500 per person and seating is limited. For event sponsorship and ticket information, please reach Marcy Hoffman, Director of Institutional Advancement, atmhoffman@sfsciencecenter.org or 561.370.7738.

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