There's no upper limit to the amount taxpayers can designate for sea otters, starting from a minimum contribution of $1. "This is an easy way to make a significant difference for sea otters in California," said Mike Sutton, director of the aquarium's Center for the Future of the Oceans.

In Wild About Otters, aquarium visitors will meet 10 feisty freshwater otters from Africa and Asia as they enter a lush world of tropical freshwater fishes, reptiles and plants via a multi-sensory adventure with live exhibits and interactive displays. The exhibit also highlights sea otters and the aquarium's work to support recovery of this iconic animal along California's central coast.

Under terms of the bill that established the CA Sea Otter Fund - a bill inspired by a legislator's family visit to the aquarium's sea otter exhibit - all money contributed to the fund will support efforts to reduce sea otter deaths, and to finance research and conservation programs related to sea otters.

There is one catch: Taxpayers must earmark at least $250,000 in donations through the CA Sea Otter Fund donation box in 2007 to keep the fund on the state income tax form in coming years.

Defenders of Wildlife, along with Philippe Cousteau, a noted conservationist, explorer and EarthEcho International president, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Coastal Conservancy, and The Ocean Conservancy have teamed up on a statewide campaign to spread the word in order to meet the $250,000 goal and assure an ongoing source of funds to benefit sea otter recovery in California.

"Sea otters have been capturing the interest and hearts from people from all over, including right here in California, for as long as any of us can remember," said Jim Curland, marine program associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "This is a great opportunity for Californian's to help preserve an important piece of our state's natural identity for future generations to enjoy, because without the sea otter the California coast just wouldn't be the same."

Half of the money generated from the CA Sea Otter Fund, along with existing funds for sea otter research and conservation, has spawned a sea otter funding workshop slated for late March. This "sea otter summit", sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife, the Monterey Bay Aquariums' Center for the Future of the Oceans, and the California Coastal Conservancy, will bring together sea otter researchers, non-profit organizations working on sea otter conservation, and representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, California Ocean Protection Council, and offices of state and federal elected officials to discuss the future funding priorities for sea otter research and conservation.

"Watching otters play in the surf is one of the great pleasures of our coast," said Sam Schuchat, executive officer of the State Coastal Conservancy. "Now all Californians can contribute to the otter's survival."
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 500,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.

The Coastal Conservancy acts with others to preserve, protect and restore the resources of the California Coast. The Conservancy's vision is of a beautiful, restored and accessible coastline. -- www.mbayaq.org