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"For 30 years, I have been passionate about the need to restore and protect Louisiana's coast," Robinette said. "Tonight's event celebrates funding for this cause, and I am delighted to further those efforts by donating my painting to the America's WETLAND Foundation.

The oil painting, which uses the aggressive style of staccato strokes of an egret in flight, was on display during the recognition event to commemorate the recent passage of historic legislation that provides federal funding for the restoration of coastal Louisiana. The work is also featured in an online auction.

All proceeds raised from the sale of the painting will support the America's WETLAND Conservation Corps, a partnership of the America's WETLAND Campaign and LSU AgCenter. The project is an AmeriCorps program, supported by a grant from the Louisiana Serve Commission in the Office of Lt. Governor Mitchell J. Landrieu.

Garland has made the case for years that Louisiana's eroding coast is America's WETLAND, and has educated listeners of WWL Radio about the significance and urgency of the issue to the nation and world, said Valsin A. Marmillion, Managing Director of the America's WETLAND Campaign. His generosity in donating time and this special artwork to the cause of wetlands restoration demonstrates how all of us can make a difference in the fight to save our coast.

Toast to the Coast honored individuals and organizations who helped to educate the nation about the need to restore coastal Louisiana and who have worked over thirty years to ensure Congressional passage of landmark legislation allowing coastal producing states a share of oil and gas revenues from the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Current and former elected officials, individuals and organizations that helped make OCS revenue sharing a reality were honored at the event along with private sector leaders, including Shell, world sponsor of the America's WETLAND Campaign.

To submit a bid on "Louisiana Lovesong," please click here. The bidding will close on June 1, 2007, the opening of Atlantic hurricane season.

For more information about Garland Robinette and his paintings please visit www.studiogarland.com.

The America's WETLAND Campaign, the largest, most comprehensive public education campaign in the State's history, was launched to raise public awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss on the state, nation and world. The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth. For more information about the Campaign, Foundation of the Conservation Corps, please visit www.americaswetland.com.