SAN DIEGO — In a clever collaboration that’s bridging creativity, sustainability, and marine science, SeaWorld San Diego is once again making waves for conservation. In partnership with The Salvation Army and art students from Otis College of Art and Design and Santa Monica College, SeaWorld is turning textile waste into ocean advocacy. To celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8, 2025, the theme park will unveiled a large-scale murals constructed entirely from recycled clothing — an artistic tribute to ocean preservation and a call to action against pollution.
The murals, built from end-of-life garments donated to The Salvation Army’s Family Stores, will be displayed prominently at Dolphin Stadium and the Wild Arctic exhibit. The project shines a light on the staggering 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually and highlights the role fast fashion plays in contributing to ocean plastic pollution.
“As a leader in animal rescue and conservation, we believe in the power of education to drive meaningful change,” said Tyler Carter, Park President of SeaWorld San Diego in a news release from May 27, 2025. “These murals will not only be visually stunning but also carry a powerful message about sustainability and protecting our oceans.”
In addition to the murals, SeaWorld will host a one-day clothing drive at the park entrance from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on World Oceans Day. Visitors are encouraged to donate gently used clothing, which will be sold in Salvation Army thrift stores to support the organization’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers while reducing landfill waste.
SeaWorld’s commitment to ocean health goes far beyond visual art. For decades, the park has played a vital role in marine animal conservation, education, and rehabilitation. Its partnership with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute has led to groundbreaking advances in marine science, including efforts to restore and protect native species.
One of the most successful projects is the White Seabass Recovery Program, which began in the 1980s and continues to this day. Through a combination of hatchery releases, tagging, and monitoring, SeaWorld and Hubbs have helped rebuild Southern California’s white seabass population — a species once on the brink of collapse. SeaWorld San Diego provides expertise, funding, and resources for this effort, which has released over two million juvenile seabass back into the wild.
Beyond seabass, SeaWorld San Diego’s broader conservation initiatives include habitat restoration, stranded marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, and marine debris removal efforts. To date, SeaWorld’s animal rescue teams have helped more than 42,000 animals across the country, many of whom were later released back into their natural habitats.
“This is more than an art installation — it’s a labor of love and a powerful symbol of sustainable creativity,” said Jill Zeleznik, Chair of Fashion Design at Otis College of Art and Design. “Our students transformed discarded textiles into something extraordinary.”
Lorrie Ivas, fashion professor at Santa Monica College, added, “What an honor to work with partners focused on respecting and sustaining human life as well as sea life. As an educator, these opportunities bring that mission full circle.”
SeaWorld and The Salvation Army will be sharing mural progress via social media and the SeaWorld San Diego blog in the weeks leading up to the unveiling.
“This partnership is a beautiful example of transformation,” said Bianca Nemtoc, Regional Donations Coordinator for The Salvation Army Western Territory ARC Command. “The same way a person’s life can be changed through our recovery centers, these discarded materials have been given new life and purpose.”
From marine mammal rescue to art-based environmental messaging, SeaWorld San Diego continues to prove that conservation and creativity can go hand in hand. To learn more about park hours, ticketing, or ongoing marine conservation programs, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.
