press release

December 18, 2008
For Immediate Release

WATER BOARD VOICES SUPPORT TO KEEP THE CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER OPEN

At last evening’s meeting, the Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a statement of support to keep the Chula Vista Nature Center open.

Sweetwater Authority, a joint powers public agency, provides public water service to approximately 184,900 people residing in National City and the South Bay Irrigation District (which includes portions of Chula Vista and most of Bonita).

The statement issued is as follows:

Statement of Support for the Chula Vista Nature Center

The City of Chula Vista is currently challenged by significant budget shortfalls. One of the recommendations that the Mayor and City Council will consider is to close the Chula Vista Nature Center (Center).

The Center is an internationally recognized zoo/aquarium exhibiting plants and animals native to San Diego Bay and marsh/wetland habitats. It is uniquely situated in an area surrounded by the San Diego Bay and Sweetwater River, and is recognized as one of the most internationally significant wetlands and reserves in the world. More than 370 species of birds pass through the wildlife refuge during their annual migration through one of the few remaining wildlife corridors in North America, the Pacific Flyway.

The Center provides a birds-eye view of wildlife in this federally protected area. As such, the Center is a community treasure and every effort should be made to keep the facility operational. Among many reasons to keep the Center open:

• The Center is the only facility of its kind in San Diego County and offers environmental education programs for approximately 65,000 people annually, which includes 15,000 school children.
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• $7 million in new exhibits and renovations have been made in the last 10 years. The annual net cost of the Nature Center is less than one-half of 1% of the City's overall budget.

• It could cost millions to repay grants and contracts if the nature center closes.

• The Center is on the verge of being self sufficient, but it cannot happen overnight. If it is closed, it could take years to rebuild the animal collection, repair deteriorating exhibits and to be reaccredited.

• Refunds would be due to hundreds of members who have valid memberships.

• The community needs to make headway on climate change mandates through public education of school children.

• In recent years, Sweetwater Authority has co-sponsored a number of community outreach programs with the Center. They include:
- In 2003, Sweetwater Authority provided a $10,000 education grant to the Nature Center’s Shark and Ray Exhibit, for a wall feature that teaches how resident’s actions affect the health of drinking water sources, the Bay and the ocean.
- In 2006 Sweetwater Authority provided $35,000 in funds to develop and produce a hands-on, interactive computer display and 3-D Sweetwater River watershed model.
- In the past two years, Sweetwater Authority has sponsored (via its education mini-grant program), nine school bus trips for students to visit the Center.

An organized effort by the Friends of the Chula Vista Nature Center (www.savethechulavistanaturecenter.com) is committed to coordinating public and private efforts to raise awareness and funds to assist in this effort.

The Sweetwater Authority Board voices support for these and other efforts to save this important facility for current and future residents, students and visitors.

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Contact: Sue King, 619-409-6721