Wildlife Neighbors at the Living Coast Discovery Center
May 6th, 2012
Podcast: Download (Duration: 29:18 — 26.8MB)
Dr. Brian Joseph and Anna Ransler from the Chula Vista Nature Center
A world-renowned ecological institution located on San Diego Bay just south of the city San Diego, the Chula Vista Nature Center has been a South Bay institution for over 20 years.
Executive Director Dr. Brian Joseph and Development Coordinator Anna Ransler talk about the center’s mission, animals, activities, commitment to the community, and the upcoming Where the Wild Things Are Food and Wine Classic on Saturday, June 2nd.
Located along San Diego Bay, the Chula Vista Nature Center is a world-class ecological institution.
Transition to the Living Coast Discovery Center
Playing host to thousands of schoolchildren for field trips, science classes, scouting events and other kid-friendly opportunities, the Chula Vista Nature Center – soon to become the Living Coast Discovery Center – is dedicated to providing environmental education on local wetlands and estuaries, the importance of keeping plastics and other pollutants out of our oceans and waterways, native plants and wildlife, and instilling a respect for nature and wildlife in people of all ages.
Hawkeye, the center's resident Golden Eagle.
A surprising array of birds and other creatures call the wetlands around San Diego Bay and nearby Canyon Country home, including owls, pelicans, gnatcatchers and eagles. Along with these native species, rescued raptors and other predators thrive at Nature Center exhibits as well.
In 2010, with city funding coming to an end, the Chula Vista Nature Center made the transition from a public, taxpayer-funded institution to an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
To recognize their newly-independent status, the Chula Vista Nature Center is in the midst of a name-change transition to the Living Coast Discovery Center, but the location, mission, and staff are all the same.
Where the Wild Things Are
As part of their fundraising efforts, the Living Coast Discovery Center is hosting their Where the Wild Things Are Food and Wine Classic on Saturday, June 2nd from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.
Dr. Brian Joseph
The event will feature food and wine, live cooking demonstrations, jazz, and opportunities to meet the different animals who call the Living Coast Discovery Center home. Guests will also be able to experience the center’s Washed Ashore exhibit, featuring massive sculptures and art pieces made from marine debris, designed to raise awareness about the global crisis of single-use, disposable plastics winding up in the world’s oceans.
On the program to talk about the Chula Vista Nature Center and its transition to the Living Coast Discovery Center is Dr. Brian Joseph, the Executive Director of the Living Coast Discovery Center.
A Chula Vista native, Dr. Joseph is a graduate of Southwestern College and San Diego State University, as well as the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Joseph is also a marine veterinary consultant and serves as a veterinary officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Also on the program to talk in depth about the Where the Wild Things Are event is Anna Ransler, Development Coordinator for the Living Coast Discovery Center.
Tickets for the June 2nd Where the Wild Things Are Event are $65 for members, and $75 for non-members (you must be 21 to attend). The event runs from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday June 2nd. To purchase tickets, contact Anna Ransler at (619) 409-5903.
For sponsorship opportunities, connect with Gigi Schroeder at (619) 787-9616.
For more information click on the graphic below. The main phone number for the Living Coast Discovery Center is (619) 409-5900.
More about this post at:
- Chula Vista Nature Center
- Washed Ashore
- Goodrich Makes Grant to Nature Center for Outdoor Classroom (San Diego Daily Transcript; 5/4/12)
- Chula Vista Nature Center Gets New Name (Eastlake Times; 4/26/12)
- Coastal Connection for Nature Center (San Diego Union-Tribune; 4/18/12)
- Spring Break Events at the Chula Vista Nature Center (Eastlake Times; 3/21/12)
- From Debris to Dorsal Fins (The Star News; 3/10/12)
- Chula Vista Nature Center Gets Funding Help (KPBS; 1/11/12)
- Chula Vista Nature Center May Benefit From Budget Cuts (Eastlake Times; 12/11/10)
- A Year Later, Rare Bird Makes 160-Mile Trek Home (San Diego Union-Tribune; 12/8/10)
- Rare Bird’s Return Flight Stuns Chula Vista Nature Center (KFMB; 12/8/10)
- A Snapshot of A Disappearing Ecosystem (San Diego Community News; 5/14/10)
- Donations Needed to Keep Chula Vista Nature Center Open (KGTV; 12/18/08)
- Nature Center Could Be Next Budget Victim (KGTV; 12/2/08)
Shorebirds, rabbits and kids being kids can be seen on the trail to San Diego Bay.
