—Reliant’s $25,000 donation funds new program, inspiring wildlife conservation among youth in Texas—

Reliant and the Texas State Aquarium (TSA) are coming together to expand coastal wildlife rescue and education efforts across the Lone Star State. With a $25,000 donation from Reliant, TSA will provide an interactive learning platform to children in underserved communities in Dallas, Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, and more areas where residents are unable to visit the Aquarium and the new Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue.

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Flour Bluff Intermediate School students participate in the Texas State Aquarium's new educational program, Wildlife Rescue on the Road, proudly sponsored by Reliant. (Photo: Business Wire)

“As longtime supporters of the beloved Texas State Aquarium, we’re excited to provide resources for them to expand their educational program in a fun and unique way that reaches even more Texans,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president of Reliant. “Reliant has a deep commitment to the Lone Star State, and in partnering with the Aquarium, we hope to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect our coastal wildlife.”

TSA recently converted a retired ambulance donated by the Corpus Christi Fire Department into its Wildlife Rescue vehicle. Its primary purpose is to respond to wildlife emergencies and transport injured, ill, or stranded marine animals. However, when not being used for this purpose, it will serve as the main attraction of the Aquarium’s new educational program, Wildlife Rescue on the Road. The program’s goal is to visit schools and nonprofits, such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs in underserved communities across Texas.

Last week, the Aquarium launched their brand-new educational program, Wildlife Rescue on the Road, with 6^th graders from the Flour Bluff Independent School District and will continue to expand its reach in upcoming months. Participants were able to tour the vehicle and study how it responds to wildlife emergencies, such as stranded marine mammals, cold-stunned sea turtle events, injured shorebirds and more. This first-hand learning experience highlights the Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue mission, advocating for wildlife conservation and minimizing human impact on the coastal environment.

“We are grateful to Reliant for helping us launch this traveling program, giving us the ability to bring Texas’ coastal wildlife to communities here in Corpus Christi and around the state,” said Jesse Gilbert, Texas State Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer. “Many children living in our state have never visited the Texas coast, and we are excited to bring this creative initiative to them.”

The educational program, Wildlife Rescue on the Road, will begin its robust statewide tour starting with Houston in January of 2023. To learn more about this initiative, visit texasstateaquarium.org/educate/offsite.

About Reliant

Reliant powers, protects and simplifies life by bringing electricity, security and related services to homes and businesses across Texas. Serving customers and the community is at the core of what we do, and the company is recognized nationally for outstanding customer experience. Reliant is part of NRG, a Fortune 500 company that creates value by generating electricity and providing energy solutions to nearly 6 million residential, small business and commercial customers across the U.S. and Canada. NRG’s competitive residential electricity business, which includes Reliant, is one of the largest in the country. For more information about Reliant, visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and Twitter or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007.

About The Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium (TSA), the Official Aquarium of the State of Texas, is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) institution that is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas and support wildlife conservation. TSA, the largest Aquarium in Texas, cares for over 4,000 animals and has been named the #5 Aquarium in North America by USA Today. Learn more at texasstateaquarium.org.

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