Living Coast Discovery Center Breaks Fundraising Record at 14th Annual Farm to Bay
CHULA VISTA, CALIF. – The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo/aquarium located on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, raised $150,000 in net proceeds at its 14th annual Farm to Bay tasting event on Saturday, August 12. The sold-out fundraiser broke the event’s previous record set at $137,000 in 2022 and far exceeded pre-pandemic event revenues, which averaged $110,000. The funds, raised through a combination of sponsorships, ticket sales, auction proceeds, and Raise the Paddle donations, will be used to support coastal wildlife conservation, education and sustainability programs throughout the year. In keeping with the organization’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Living Coast takes steps each year towards producing a Zero-Waste event by working closely with its partners to reduce overall waste and offer earth-friendly materials. Event waste is hand-sorted and composted on-site by a team of volunteer master composters. This year, the Living Coast Sustainability Team reported that 93 percent of total event waste was diverted from the landfill, exceeding the 90 percent threshold for the event to be considered Zero-Waste. The 300+ person event only generated 20 pounds of trash, equating to just two kitchen garbage bags. The City of Chula Vista’s commercial composting facility and the use of many reusable and/or compostable items during the event contributed to this success.
“We are grateful for the community’s continued support of Farm to Bay and for our mission,” said Executive Director Ben Vallejos. “From our generous sponsors and donors, to our food and beverage partners, to our staff and volunteers working behind the scenes, so many people contributed to the success of this year’s record-breaking event. We simply couldn’t do what we do for our animals, students and families without their tireless support.”
About Living Coast Discovery Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center, a 501(c)3 educational zoo and aquarium located within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Sweetwater Marsh, began operating as a non-profit in 2010 after assuming operations of the Chula Vista Nature Center. The Living Coast Discovery Center offers hands-on exhibits and up-close encounters with plant and animal species native to Southern California, including sea turtles, leopard sharks, reptiles and a large collection of raptors such as hawks, falcons, owls, eagles, and more. More information about the Living Coast Discovery Center is available at www.thelivingcoast.org or (619) 409-5900. For the latest updates, follow the Living Coast on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
