The living coast center provides hands-on environmental education opportunities at the sweetwater marsh unit of the SAN diego BAY national wildlife refuge

The living coast inspires the community to connect with and care for our coastal environment. Our programs serve k-12 students, and teachers in underserved and title 1 schools, and families throughout the SAN diego region representing diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds.today, more than 80 percent of american families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces, according to the U.S. Department of the interior. At the same time, kids are spending more hours than ever before in front of screens instead of outside. Providing opportunities for students and families to spend time outdoors allows them to experience the natural world around them and inspires positive attitudes towards the environment.with support from U.S. Fish and wildlife service and the socal urban wildlife refuge project, the living coast will connect people with nature through a variety of programs including refuge-based field trips and family programs. As a community asset, we will provide equitable access to individuals and schools that would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the sweetwater marsh and living coast discovery center.over 60 of chula vista residents identify as hispanic latino, and 47 speak spanish. People of color and english language learners have been excluded from science research and environmental conservation, and research shows that a sense of belonging in nature is a foundational element to developing a pro-environmental identity. A 2015 study by latino decisions, a polling firm focusing on hispanics in america, found that over 80 of hispanics in the country are concerned with the negative impact humans have on the environment, however, at least 77 of them said they DON t feel encouraged by local organizations to get involved. Supporting bilingual professionals in the environmental workforce and providing them the leadership opportunities to connect with their own community will strengthen our mission and the stem field in general.