Nick Carter Has Flipper's Back

Los Angeles (E! Online) -

Nick Carter: boy bander, reality TV star,

Paris Hilton ex and dolphin advocate.

Following in the footsteps of philanthropically minded celebs such as Bono and

Angelina Jolie, Carter, 27, is putting his fame to use for a good cause.

The aging boy bander has been named a Special Ambassador of the Year of the Dolphin by the

United Nations Environment Program Convention on Migratory Species.

Carter's role will involve raising public awareness about the dangers faced by the marine mammals, which he plans to do in part by penning a new cetacean-themed song and video and donating all proceeds to conservation efforts.

"I am honored to offer my resources and my music to help the United Nations save dolphins and their habitats," Carter said in a statement.

While in Washington to accept his new title Thursday, the Backstreeter elaborated on some of the manmade threats to the creatures' survival, such as noise from boats, fishing nets and polluted oceans waters.

"Everyone loves dolphins. Yet, we are still driving them to extinction," he said.

The Florida native said that his fascination with "the ocean and all its wonderful creatures" began at a young age.

"I've been a scuba diver since I was little and saw dolphins all the time," he told the Washington Post.

"You know, it's like living with a pet almost, but one that you can't necessarily touch. But that's fine, you know, because they're around you and you see how happy they are."

Carter's dolphin-protection campaign kicks off in earnest next month with the launch of his new Website, nickcarteroceanfund.com, and a contest giving schools the chance to win a personal visit from Carter as part of his mission to educate young people about the perils faced by dolphins.

Carter has been working with Howie Dorough,

Brian Littrell and

A.J. McLean on a new Backstreet album, slated for release this summer.