Denver, January 5, 2010: The local non-profit organization Habitat Healers has just reached an agreement with theDenver Aquarium to hold a much-needed fundraiser this upcoming Valentine’s Day, from 4-9 p.m. on February 14, 2010.  In their commitment to worldwide marine species conservation, the Denver Aquarium has partnered with Habitat Healers in order host the first annual I ♥ TURTLES Party and Benefit to support their marine habitat restoration and community development projects around the world.  In April of 2010, Habitat Healers will return to the remote village of San Francisco de Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica in order to execute another large-scale beach clean. The wildlife refuge in Tortuguero is the second-largest nesting site in the world for the ocean’s turtle species and the beaches are constantly overrun with refuse and debris, which has contributed to a significant decrease in the number of nests and hatchlings in a short period of time.  The organization will also maintain and make improvements to the recycling and waste management infrastructure that they initiated with help from the local community this past November.

In order to fund this crucial project, Habitat Healers is calling on the local community to join us for our first annual I ♥ TURTLES Fundraiser at the Denver Aquarium. Click here to buy a ticket!

This event is for the entire family; children under 10 are admitted free and there will be a guided, educational tour for the kids as well as an adopt-a-turtle program.  Highlights will include a DJ providing musical entertainment for all and videos and a photo slide show illustrating the urgency of our mission as well as a presentation by the aquarium’s staff on the current refuse crisis that threatens our world’s coastal habitats.  A raffle will be held in which we’ll award our supporters with valuable door prizes that have been graciously donated by local businesses.  There will be free hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks as well as a cash bar featuring premium wines and beer from local breweries.  Attendees will also be able to go snorkelling in the Aquarium’s massive reef ecosystem, so come ready to explore!  The event promises to be a wonderful time and offers the incomparable feeling that you are contributing to conservation and community development projects where they are most critically needed.  See you there!

Habitat Healers are volunteers who:

1. Enhance the quality of life for children worldwide by implementing sports and cultural art programs.
2. Initiate economic growth and contribute to community growth through job creation.
3. Implement environmental beach clean-up and recycling programs on beaches inhabited by endangered species worldwide.
4. Build future conservation leaders that will help to preserve the rain forests, solve global warming and promote sustainable stewardship of natural resources.
5. Work with local communities, governments, businesses and other non-profits to provide a solution to beaches overrun with debris and garbage, facilitating a healthy habitat necessary for the nesting of marine turtles.

Habitat Healers Mission

Habitat Healers is an international non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening communities and their habitat worldwide by implementing sustainable programs to protect the environment, enhance the quality of life for children, initiate economic growth and contribute to community development.  Habitat Healers' researchers, educators, volunteers and advocates work together with local businesses, governments, schools and community groups providing services that contribute to the health and vitality of their community.

Habitat Healers Goal

To annually implement sustainable programs in 12 communities worldwide, enhancing the quality of life and contributing to the health and vitality of the local community and ecology.