Jazz And Blues Legends Join To Help Save Louisiana's Coastal Wetlands

NEW YORK (Top 40 Charts/ www.americaswetland.com) - Jazz and blues legends The Neville Brothers and Dr. John will join artists who include Mavis Staples and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band as part of The Sprit of New Orleans: America's WETLAND Revival Tour to help bring attention to the continuing loss of Louisiana's coastal wetlands, an area known as America's WETLAND. The tour, which will raise money for the America's WETLAND Foundation, will include stops in New York, Chicago and Indianapolis.

"Music is the heart and soul of New Orleans, and we're happy to be delivering a taste of our hometown's spirit to audiences around the country," said Aaron Neville, one of the four Neville Brothers. "Like our music, our state's wetlands are woven into the fabric of our people and they need to be protected, not only for Louisiana residents, but for the entire nation. We have to help save America's WETLAND before it's too late."

Louisiana's coast is home to more than two million people and provides essential habitat for animal, plant and marine species. Additionally, these valuable wetlands support the world's largest port system by tonnage and the infrastructure responsible for transporting 30 percent of the oil and natural gas consumed in the United States. Yet these protective wetlands have been disappearing at the rate of 24 square miles per year.

"South Louisiana is more vulnerable to hurricane damage than ever before," said Sidney Coffee, Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities. "We must take immediate steps to restore and protect our coastal wetlands, and educating America's WETLAND Revival Tour audiences about their importance is vital to our long term success."

The Spirit of New Orleans: America's WETLAND Revival Tour dates are:

June 10, 2006
Oyster Bay, New York (Long Island)
Planting Fields Arboretum

June 16, 2006
Highland Park, IL (Chicago)
Ravinia Pavilion

June 18, 2006
Indianapolis, IN
Indy Jazz Festival - Military Park