Contact: Cynthia Trone For Immediate Release (561) 629-3765

MOTHER OCEAN’S EXPEDITION FLORIDA 500 JOINS BELOW THE SURFACE AND LIVE OAK PRODUCTION GROUP

ON THE APALACHICOLA RIVER

Founder Justin Riney Promoting Florida Conservation on 365-Day Journey with Below The Surface launching The Riverview Project Tequesta, November 29, 2013 – Expedition Florida 500 (XF500) is a modern-day exploration of Florida’s coastline, waterways, and aquatic ecosystem, as seen through the eyes of the waterman. 2013 is Florida’s 500th anniversary since Ponce de Leon landed on Florida’s coastline back in 1513, which is being commemorated statewide with Viva Florida 500. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Mother Ocean has partnered with the Florida Department of State, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Quiksilver Waterman Collection, Tahoe SUP, and various others to embark on a yearlong journey combining the best of exploration, adventure, stewardship, science, and sport. Justin Riney completed circumnavigating Florida on a stand up paddleboard in July, and has been exploring the inland waterways during the second half of the project. Mother Ocean’s founder Justin Riney is leading the movement for the entire 365 days, and will be spending Days 339 through 348 in a collaborative exploration of the Apalachicola River. The Director of Research & Explorations of Below The Surface, Kristian Anders Gustavson, will be joining Riney on the Apalachicola River to launch The Riverview Project. Live Oak Production Group’s Elam Stoltzfus will be filming the journey.

PARTNERSHIPS Mother Ocean’s Expedition Florida 500 primary goal is to highlight the importance of stewardship efforts as they relate to Florida’s coastlines and waterways, and to share the rich history and culture of our state. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, who is leading Viva Florida 500 remarked that XF500 raises awareness of the unique landscape we have in our beautiful state and how we can all help to preserve, protect and enjoy it for the next 500 years. “We are honored to be partnering with Mother Ocean, Inc. and Expedition Florida 500 for this statewide, yearlong adventure highlighting Florida’s cultural, historic and natural resources.” Below The Surface’s Riverview Project is creating the leading visual platform to establish baselines and aggregate data on hydrologic structure, function, and changes while illustrating how waterway recreation can lead to better protection of America’s waterways and other natural resources. The Below the Surface Expeditionary Team will use panoramic imaging as the visualization foundation combined with LIDAR, Multi-beam SONAR, and other parameters to create the most comprehensive virtual database of America’s waterways. The Apalachicola River is the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, and the collaborative effort to document the ACF River Basin is on Below The Surface’s first 10 river projects. They will be traveling in a 30’ Voyager Canoe hand-shaped by John Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company. BTS is working in partnership with the USGS, EPA, Google, 1% for the Planet and with the sponsorship support of Clif Bar, Keen Footwear, Patagonia, Goal Zero, Paddle With Purpose, NRS, Lock & Load Java, Da Kine Diving Services, Algae Research Supply, Exploring Innovation, and others. Live Oak Production Group will be filming the expedition from the water, with award-winning Elam Stoltzfus. For the past twenty five years Elam has documented diverse aspects of Florida's natural resources which include estuaries, rivers, swamps, and aquatic preserves. Not only is Elam a gifted cinematographer; as executive producer of several documentaries, he combines his love of nature with his love of art. Elam’s mission is to educate, inform and entertain through storytelling using moving images and modern media.

EVENT DETAILS Thursday, December 5th, 11 a.m. The Apalachicola River expedition will launch from the Angus Cholson Jr Nature Park. Saturday, December 14th, 10am – noon. The media and general public are invited to participate in a reception for all members of the expedition at the Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce, 122 Commerce Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320.

For more information, please contact: Expedition Florida 500, Cynthia Trone at cynthia@motherocean.org

Below The Surface, Kristian Gustavson, Kristian@belowthesurface.org Live Oak Production Group, Nic Stoltzfus, nic.stoltzfus@icloud.com