Living Coast Discovery Center Raises $110,000 at 12th 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 $110,000 in net proceeds at its 12th annual Farm to Bay event on Saturday, August 7. The funds, which will be used to support coastal wildlife conservation, education and sustainability programs throughout the year, were raised through a combination of sponsorships, ticket sales, auction proceeds, and Raise the Paddle donations. The success of this year’s event was especially notable given the challenges presented by COVID-19. Guest capacity had to be significantly reduced to allow for social distancing and measures were taken to ensure safe handling of event materials while maintaining sustainability goals. In 2020, the event was held virtually due to the pandemic. In keeping with the organization’s environmental mission, the Living Coast Sustainability Team reported that 84 percent of event waste was diverted from the landfill, with a total of 186 pounds of material recycled or composted. Each year, the Living Coast takes steps towards producing a Zero-Waste event by working closely with its partners to reduce overall waste and offer reusable and earth-friendly materials. Event waste is hand-sorted and composted on-site by a team of volunteers. “We are incredibly proud of our team for producing an exceptional event, both from a guest experience and fundraising perspective,” said Executive Director Ben Vallejos. “We are grateful for the community’s continued support of the Living Coast, especially during such a difficult year.” Event sponsors included Seven Mile Casino (presenting sponsor), Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay, Chula Vista Clean, Marine Group Boat Works, Republic Services, San Diego Gas & Electric, Sprouts Farmers Market – Chula Vista and Eastlake, Balboa Thrift & Loan, Baldwin & Sons, Cox Communications, The Lewis Group Inc., Jim Biddle, General Dynamics NASSCO, Hoffman Hanono Insurance, Littler, Miller Hull, MissionFed Credit Union, Port of San Diego, The San Diego Foundation and Verizon.
About the 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.
