Kate Walsh, a longtime supporter of Oceana, is fronting a new campaign for the conservation group called “Getting Sea Turtles Off the Hook”.

The Private Practice actress will star in a number of print, online and TV, Web and radio spots to help raise awareness of the species — and what can be done to ensure their longtime survival. We need to raise awareness about sea turtles because most people don’t even know that they’re in trouble,” said Walsh. “If people know about what’s actually happening in the water, it will encourage them to take action to help save sea turtles.”

Out of the seven sea turtle species worldwide, six swim in U.S. waters and all of them are either listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. Everything from pollution to overfishing to coastal development contributes to hundreds of thousands of turtle deaths each year. Oceana’s campaign to save sea turtles is focused on gaining stronger protections from fishing gear as well as protections for key habitat areas. Oceana is also working to persuade Congress to pass comprehensive sea turtle protection legislation.

Check out their official website — where you can also sponsor a turtle — here. One of Walsh’s PSAs is below:

Neither are the celebs featured in the book. The PR company that represents Tea Leoni, Kate Walsh, Felicity Huffman, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Melissa George has asked for their names to not be associated with the Leviev, and Oxfam Ambassador Kristin Davis has had her photo removed from Leviev’s website. New York rights coalition Adalah-NY has contacted others and asked them to renounce the company as well, including Susan Sarandon (who wrote the book’s introduction), Vanessa Williams, Kate Hudson, Molly Sims, and Gina Gershon.

An Oxfam America spokesperson, Adrienne Smith, said, “Oxfam reiterates our policy that we are not and never will be partners or beneficiaries of Leviev because of both his mining practices and his support of Israeli settlements on Occupied Palestinian Lands which is in contravention of International Law and a major obstacle in the road to peace… Oxfam is disturbed to find ourselves used in this way and we intend to be proactive in informing those in our community about the deliberate strategy of Leviev Diamonds to connect itself with unwitting charities and celebrities.”

What do you think? Did Leviev redeem himself at all by trying to work with Oxfam? Or is everyone right to continue denouncing this corruption?

US Magazine is devoting a several page spread in their July 28th issue to what celebrities are doing to be more green — but they’re not letting the gloss distract from the real issue: these people have huge carbon footprints! They break it down in a handy graph (scanned in here) and also call some celebs on their hypocrisy. Most surprising? Grey’s Anatomy star Kate Walsh flew to a sustainable living event in San Diego on June 14th — in a private jet. [Smacks forehead] [Read more...] (Update: According to a comment below, US Weekly did not reveal the whole truth behind Kate’s visit…)

Josh Dorfman may be a Lazy Environmentalist, but he’s also a successful green furniture maven who’s about to open New York City’s first-ever residential eco pop-up store inside Riverhouse — Manhattan’s greenest luxury condominium in Battery Park City (and home to Tyra Banks and Leonardo DiCaprio). The store will feature eighteen of the world’s top environmental furniture designers and artists. Swank!. [Read more...]

And finally, a Happy Birthday to one of our favorite green building sites, Jetson Green! Preston and the gang are celebrating by giving away a whole bunch of cool, green swag through tomorrow night at midnight. Stop on over, enter to win, and make sure to wish these guys a Happy 2 Years of serving up some awesome, inspiring, green content. [Read more...]

It wasn’t just bunnies on Hef’s mind this past Saturday night as the Playboy Mansion played host to the Much Love Animal Rescue 2nd Annual Bow Wow WOW! Celebrity Fundraiser. A bevy of gorgeous and philanthropic stars turned out to hang at the Mansion and raise money for the non-profit, Much Love, which is a no kill charity that finds homes for hard to place dogs and cats in LA animal shelters, as well as providing medical care, rehabilitation, and spay and neutering services. Founded in 1999, and run by a team of dedicated volunteers, they have already managed to place over 2000 animals in good homes.

Hosted by the hilarious and spontaneous talents of Rachael Harris from Notes from the Underbelly, and Kevin Nealon of Weeds fame, the evening honored celeb activists Amy Smart (Iconic Activist Award), Good Day LA’s Jillian Barberie Reynolds (Superstar Spokesperson Award), Jerry O’Connell (Celebrity Rescuer Award), Hef’s lovely gal pal, Bridget Marquardt (Gold Heart Award), and Chela Landau (Community Liaison Award), who were all commended for their service to animal welfare. Guests were treated to a lavish vegetarian buffet courtesy of the Mansion’s personal chef, music by DJ Stryker, and a live auction including a 2008 smart fortwo car and walk-on roles in TV shows and movies, with all proceeds benefiting Much Love Animal Rescue.

Out in support of our animal friends was the gorgeous Kate Walsh (Private Practice) who, even after being pooped out after an intense red carpet sess, graciously stepped back on to say hi to all you “Razzi’s.” Also attending were Inn Love and Home Sweet Hollywood love-bugs Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott. Sadly Tori recently lost her best friend, Pug Mimi La Rue, but has launched the “Mimi La Rue Foundation,” a non-profit to raise funds to rescue sick and injured pets in shelters.

Ravishing in red was Girls Next Door and “PETA” pin-up Holly Madison who gave us a fab pirate impression whilst sporting one of the Mansion’s cockatiels, Cloe, on her shoulder. Antonio Sabato Jnr, Grant Show, Sheri Stringfield, Paula Abdul, Gary Shandling, and Joy Lauren were also in attendance, and to cap off the event, the big dog himself, Hef, made a surprise appearance.

All in all, and in true Playboy style, it was a swinging event. Between the Much Love spokes-dogs, girls in full bunny regalia, and naked painted lady all mingling with the stars on the red carpet, it was exactly what you’d expect of a party chez Hef. But beneath all the excitement the message was passionate and clear. Let’s get to work on decreasing the number of pound pups and kitties needlessly euthanized in shelters each year, and put puppy mills out of business.

Photo credit: Courtney Dailey

Kate has been a supporter of animal charities for a while and earlier this year even helped open a rescue shelter in Times Square. Therefore it’s no surprise that Walsh donated her time for the event, which was held at the Playboy Mansion. While everybody knows (and by everybody I mean dorks like me) that Hugh Hefner has an affinity for medium-rare lamb chops, it’s important to note that his number one gal Holly Madison has worked with PETA on various anti-fur campaigns. 

Much Love Animal Rescue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse and neglect of domestic animals. Much Love is run entirely by like-minded professionals who volunteer their time and resources to help save the lives of these animals.

So from all of us here at Ecorazzi we send “much love” to Kate and all those super fantastic volunteers who helped put the WOW in the Bow Wow WOW! event. Keep up the good work, ya’ll. 

via: justjared.com

Actress Kate Walsh spent her Thursday afternoon helping the folks at Pedigree kick off the Pedigree Dogstore in Times Square! I know, I know-all the animal rights people just totally flipped out when I said, “Dogstore.”  You’re probably thinking: abused pets, dirty cages, lazy employees…no, no no!! Trust me, this is not your typical pet store!

The Pedigree Dogstore will act as a short-term adoption center where visitors can learn about dog adoption, meet adoptable dogs and make donations to support various shelters across the country.  This is all part of the Pedigree Adoption Drive, Pedigree’s non-profit organization that helps provide funding to select animal shelters and breed rescues nationwide.  And with over 4 million dogs in shelters across the country, Pedigree’s Adoption Drive couldn’t come at a better time!

Other stars like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Molly Sims, and Kelly Ripa have stepped up to the plate by signing memorabilia which will be auctioned on eBAY to also benefit Pedigree.  So head on over to Dogsrule.com and learn how you can get involved and help make a difference. Because like singer/activist Nellie Mckay says in The Dog Song, “If you want a companion, well just go right to the pound, and find yourself a hound, and make that doggie proud. Cause that’s what it’s all about.”

photo credit: justjared.com