You Can Help Keep Our Ocean and Waterways Healthy and Flowing for Future Generations

Over thirty years ago, Wyland reignited the movement to protect our marine mammals and coasts with his lifesize series of monumental murals in over one hundred cities around the world. Today, his legacy has expanded with the work of the Wyland Foundation.

Today, our mission is to help people understand one simple truth: 80% of ocean pollution starts on land — often hundreds of miles away. Yet fewer than 1 in 10 Americans know how runoff from lawns, streets, and irrigation flows through storm drains and rivers, harming our coasts and marine life.

Through mobile science centers, custom classroom lessons, and city-wide challenges, we bring clean water education and action directly to schools, neighborhoods, and city halls. Because if we want to protect water quality and stop ocean pollution at the source - it starts with us.

From Walls to Waterways
Wyland’s murals show why ocean protection starts upstream

One of the foundation’s most iconic initiatives are the monumental Marine Life Murals, known to many as the Whaling Walls, were created and painted by acclaimed artist Wyland over a thirty-year period in 17 countries around the world. 

These murals on skyscrapers, sports arenas, and other landmark buildings our part of our foundational goal to remind people that we are connected to the ocean no matter where we live. As Wyland once said, “If we want protect the animals we share our planet with, it will take the work of everybody, looking at our own actions and working together to stop ocean pollution at the source.”