Children across Florida are taking part in a unique exercise in goal setting to help Stella — a near life-size illustration of a baby right whale — migrate 700 miles from one end of the state to the other. Stella’s epic 30-day journey begins this fall, BUT her success depends on the help of thousands of Florida students. Are you up for the challenge?

Famed muralist Wyland and south Florida school children created the giant painting in spring 2012 (see video on right) as part of an effort to draw attention to the plight of the endangered north Atlantic right whale whose numbers have dwindled in recent years to less than 400 animals. To mirror the average traveling distance in a right whale's migration, Stella will stop every twenty miles at schools and children's centers, starting Oct. 14 in Key Largo and concluding Nov. 17 at the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville.

Each stop on Stella’s route will include presentations from marine mammal experts and educators, a photo opportunity with Stella, and activities for students to use Stella's journey to identify their own goals for environmental conservation, health and wellness, and academic success.

"Stella gives students a chance to understand the perilous migration that whales undertake every year from their winter calving areas off Florida to the feeding grounds off Nova Scotia," says Wyland. "Her journey gives us a unique way of understanding the importance of overcoming obstacles to achieve goals."

The first 20 schools to enroll will be entered into a drawing for a visit from the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience. For more information email cleanwater@wylandfoundation.org, with the subject line: Stella’s Whale Migration.

Your family can help support local whales like Stella with a Protect Florida Whales specialty license plate. Learn more at protectfloridaswhales.org

Stella the Whale fact: The largest source of marine debris is runoff from land-based sources such as storm sewers and parking lots. A right whale might mistake litter, like a plastic bag, for food. Once ingested, marine debris may cause internal injury, intestinal blockage, and starvation

Stella the Whale fact: You know what's scarier than Halloween? Entaglements in fishing gear can keep whales from eating, breathing, or swimming. Lines cutting into the skin can cause fatal infections. Nearly 3 out of four of all living right whales bear scars from fishing gear. One way you can help is by purchasing a Protect Florida Whales License Plate

Stella the Whale fact: Ship collision/ship strike is the primary cause of death for right whales and accounts for nearly half of known right whales deaths. Right whales swim slowly and spend a lot of time at the surface feeding and resting which makes them especially vulnerable. One way you can help is by going to www.protectfloridaswhales.org