Living Coast Discovery Center
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{infobox museum
| name = Living Coast Discovery Center
| image = Chula Vista Nature Center Front.jpg
| caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|32.641234|-117.110470|display=inline}}
| established = 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center
| location = 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive
Chula Vista, California
| type = Nature center, aquarium and zoo
| website = {{URL|https://www.thelivingcoast.org/}}
}}
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a zoo and public aquarium in Chula Vista, California. An environmental education center, it is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Permanent displays at the Living Coast focus on native animals and plants found in Southern California and San Diego Bay.{{cite web |date=September 30, 2014 |title=City extends contract with Living Coast |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/sep/30/Chula-Vista-extends-contract-with-living-coast/ |accessdate=18 July 2016 |publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune}}
History
The center was originally opened in 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center; it was owned and operated by the City of Chula Vista. In 2010, the organization transitioned over to an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and its current name.{{cite web |date=May 6, 2012 |title=Wildlife Neighbors at the Living Coast Discovery Center |url=http://treehuggersintl.com/2012/wildlife-neighbors-at-the-living-coast-discovery-center/ |accessdate=18 July 2016 |publisher=Tree Huggers International}}
Exhibits
File:Rhinobatos productus chulavista 2.jpg in the touch pool]]
The site consists of several large exhibit spaces:
- Turtle Lagoon – Green sea turtles{{cite web|title=Turtle Lagoon|url=http://www.thelivingcoast.org/exhibits/turtle-lagoon/|website=Living Coast Discovery Center}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofsandiego.com/life/2014/09/25/sapphire-the-sea-turtle-finds-safe-haven-at-chula-vistas-living-coast-center/|title=130-pound Sea Turtle to Make Home at Chula Vista Center|work=Times of San Diego|date=September 25, 2014|first=Jennerfer|last=Vigil }}
- Discovery Center Galleria – includes seahorses, jellyfish, eels, sharks, lobsters, crabs, octopus, garibaldi damselfish, sea stars, snakes, lizards
- Shark & Ray Experience & Sting Ray Touch pool – Leopard sharks, grey smooth-hound sharks, horn sharks, swell shark, shovelnose guitarfish, bat rays, round rays, diamond rays, crabs, fish, and loggerhead sea turtle{{cite web|title=Living Coast Discovery Center – San Diego’s Hidden Nature Center|url=http://www.bernasconibits.com/2014/02/living-coast-discovery-center/|publisher=Bernasconi Bits|accessdate=18 July 2016|date=February 12, 2014}}
- Burrowing Owl Courtyard
- Shorebird Aviary – light-footed Ridgway's rail, black-crowned night heron, black oystercatcher, red-breasted merganser, hooded merganser, and more
- Raptor Row – red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, Cooper’s hawk, peregrine falcon, turkey vulture, barn owl, great horned owl, burrowing owl, American kestrel
- Eagle Mesa – golden eagle, bald eagle
- Native plant gardens and composting demonstration garden
There are 1.5 miles of trails from the center in San Diego National Wildlife Refuge out to the shore of San Diego Bay.
In addition to general public exhibits, the center hosts over 15,000 school children at their facility each year for educational field trips that focus on science and environmental programs.
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.thelivingcoast.org/}}
{{coord|32.6401|-117.1104|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=title}}
Category:Nature centers in California
Category:Museums in San Diego County, California
Category:Natural history of San Diego County, California
Category:Buildings and structures in Chula Vista, California