Calif. aquarium raises awareness of marine debris

The Sea Life Aquarium at the Legoland Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., has a new exhibit aimed at raising children's awareness of plastic marine debris. The project is called "Beach Trash, A Whale of a Problem." First grade classes from a local elementary school worked with environmental artist Teresa Espaniola to turn create a life-sized gray whale mosaic -- all made from plastic trash that the collected on the beach. Megan Malaska, education specialist for the Aquarium, calls it "a life-changing project for these children. I have no doubt they will be life-long stewards of the ocean." Hats off to the aquarium for raising awareness of this problem, starting with its young audience. Educating the public about marine debris is a key step in fixing this problem.