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Explorer Alexandra Cousteau Kicks Off RBC Blue Water Day in Minneapolis
Focus on preserving natural fresh water resources

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (May 30, 2012) – Explorer Alexandra Cousteau joins RBC Wealth Management in its effort to preserve the earth’s most valuable natural resource – water. On Thursday, May 31, Cousteau will speak to RBC Wealth Management employees at noon followed by a presentation at the Weisman Art Museum at 7 p.m. As the featured speaker at these RBC-sponsored events, Cousteau will premier short films and share findings from her journey across North America to investigate global water issues.

Cousteau, the granddaughter of renowned explorer Jacques Cousteau, is a national Geographic “Emerging Explorer,” filmmaker and globally-recognized advocate on water issues. In 2008, Cousteau started the Blue Legacy  initiative to engage individuals around the world through telling the story of our water planet. Blue Legacy strives to help shape society’s dialogue to include water as one of the defining issues of our century and to inspire people to take action on critical water issues in meaningful ways.

In 2010, Cousteau led an international team on Expedition Blue Planet, sponsored by RBC and its RBC Blue Water Project, a five-month interactive exploration of critical water issues across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The expedition toured more than 17,100 miles in a biodiesel tour bus converted to serve as a “rolling Calypso” for daily production and web broadcasting of films, photos and findings. In addition to filming a range of critical water issues on the Colorado River, the Gulf Coast, the Tennessee Valley, the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, Cousteau and her Expedition Team stopped in 20 communities along the route to host watershed action days.

“Today, over one billion people lack access to clean drinking water and water shortages aren’t restricted to developing nations,” said John Taft, CEO, RBC Wealth Management-U.S. “We were pleased to be a part of Alexandra’s expedition to explore the issues in our ‘own back yard’ as an important step to understanding and protecting North America’s fresh water resources.”

The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to help protect the world’s fresh water resources. Since 2007, the company has pledged over $32 million to more than 500 nonprofit organizations worldwide that protect watersheds and ensure access to clean drinking water.

Community asked to “Show You Care” on Blue Water Day, June 8
On Friday, June 8, one hundred RBC employees will volunteer with the Twin Cities-based nonprofit Great River Greening  in an invasive species removal project at Ike’s Creek in Bloomington. This is the third – more – annual Blue Water Day, a day focused on learning about and participating in the protection of fresh water resources around the world. RBC employees worldwide will show their support for this day by wearing blue and participating in local clean-up events. This year, RBC is asking people to “Show You Care” by reducing their own footprint and supporting local organizations that protect freshwater resources.

“Collectively, individual efforts in local communities can have a positive effect on our nation’s fresh water supply,” said Taft. “RBC is committed to making a difference on Blue Water Day and everyday.”

About RBC Blue Water Project
The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. It includes a $50 million philanthropic commitment to organizations that protect watersheds and ensure access to clean drinking water. The RBC Blue Water Project also promotes responsible water use through awareness programs and supports programs that encourage businesses to develop and commercialize innovative solutions to the water issues facing the world. Since 2007, RBC has pledged over $33 million to more than 500 not-for-profit organizations worldwide. RBC, one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2011-2012 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the DJSI North American Index.

About RBC Wealth Management – U.S.
In the United States, RBC Wealth Management operates as a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. Founded in 1909, RBC Capital Markets, LLC. is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and other major securities exchanges. RBC Wealth Management has over $227 billion of assets under administration and nearly 2,000 financial advisors operating in 200 locations in 42 states. 

Media Contact:
Ann Wasik, 612-313-1275

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