Louisiana Children’s Museum invites families to become Planet Protectors  

Written By Alicia Vial

Interactive event with Cox Communications encourages children to care for the environment through play

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NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM), in partnership with Cox Communications, invites families to celebrate the power of play and environmental stewardship during Planet Protectors taking place Saturday, Aug. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum in New Orleans City Park.

Some of the best lessons in conservation begin when children see everyday materials in a whole new way. Presented by Cox Communications, the family-friendly event invites children and their caregivers to explore sustainability through play. Through interactive exhibits, creative challenges and a community electronics recycling drive, families will learn practical ways to reduce waste, conserve natural resources and care for the environment.

“Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and Planet Protectors allows them to turn that curiosity into action,” said Tifferney White, CEO of LCM. “By engaging families in playful, hands-on experiences, we’re helping children understand that even small choices can make a meaningful impact on the health of our communities and our planet.”

Throughout the Museum, families can participate in interactive experiences designed to make environmental learning fun, including:

  • Building and designing a sustainable cardboard cit

  • Creating artwork using recycled materials

  • Exploring rainwater conservation through Water Harvesting Heroes

  • Crushing and recycling aluminum cans at the Can Crushing Station

  • Digging into gardening activities during Plant and Play

  • Sorting recyclables through a sensory activity designed for children ages 0-3

  • Enjoying conservation-themed Eco-Story Time

  • Celebrating the day at the Planet Play Wiggle Party

As part of the event, LCM and Cox Communications will also host a free electronics recycling drive, open to the entire community. Museum admission is not required to participate in the recycling drive, making it easy for anyone to dispose of unwanted small electronics.

Community members may drop off:

  • Desktop and laptop computers‍

  • Mobile phones ‍

  • Modems and routers

  • TV and stereo remotes

  • Small electronic toys and games

  • Computer accessories, including keyboards and monitors

CRT monitors and large household appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves and stoves, will not be accepted.

“Achieving our companywide zero-waste-to-landfill goal is something we’re very proud of, and partnering with the Louisiana Children's Museum creates an opportunity for families to discover, in a fun, hands-on way, how small choices, from recycling old electronics to rethinking everyday materials, can help conserve resources long after Planet Protectors Day ends,” said Sunni LeBeouf, Cox Communications Greater New Orleans Market Vice President.

Planet Protectors is included with Museum admission and tickets are on sale now. Families are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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‍About Louisiana Children’s Museum
Louisiana Children’s Museum has long been known for its work in the community through innovative outreach and nationally recognized programs that support children and advance the museum’s mission to contribute to the region's future prosperity by engaging children's potential and making that potential visible. Through play, shared explorations, and in dialogue with adults, LCM connects children, their caregivers, their environments, and the community. Keep up with Louisiana Children’s Museum and future announcements at lcm.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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