FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2007

CONTACT: Cheva Heck, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
(305) 809-4700, ext. 236 (office) (305) 304-0179 (cell)

Florida Keys Visitor Center Partners Invite Media to Attend Grand Opening Celebration

Media representatives are invited to attend the grand opening of the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, a state-of-the-art visitor center developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and the South Florida Water Management District. Located in NOAA’s Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex on the Truman Annex waterfront in Key West, the center features more than 6,400 square feet of exhibits interpreting the South Florida ecosystem from land to sea.

What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration for the grand opening of the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Speakers will include Jim Connaughton, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Todd Firm, chair of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

After the ribbon-cutting, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys will host a community celebration, including free popcorn and snow cones, face painting and other activities for children, and agency information tables.

When: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The community celebration will continue until 4 p.m.

Where: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 East Quay Road, Key West, Fla.

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