Chula Vista Nature Center Awarded a $10,000 AT&T Technology Grant

Date Added: January 16, 2008
Story By: Press Release

A $10,000 technology grant awarded by the AT&T Foundation will help the Chula Vista Nature Center upgrade its web capabilities in order to expand the center’s community outreach efforts. With the technological assistance supported by the AT&T Excelerator grant, patrons will be able to purchase Nature Center memberships and educational materials online, and donors will be able make contributions online. In addition, the grant paves the way for installation of a second webcam, which will feature the center’s magnificent pair of Golden eagles—permanent residents of the Eagle Mesa exhibit.

“Thanks to the generosity of the AT&T Foundation, the Chula Vista Nature Center will be able to dramatically improve its connection to customers and expand the level of service to everyone who has an interest in preserving the region’s wetlands and wildlife,” said Mayor Cheryl Cox.

Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge along San Diego Bay, the Chula Vista Nature Center is an internationally recognized zoo/aquarium, exhibiting plants and animals native to local marsh and wetland habitats.

“This grant gives us the opportunity to reach out to a larger and more diverse audience,” noted Nature Center director Dan Beintema. “The support of the AT&T Foundation will ensure that we continue to provide environmental conservation education to more people than ever before-- from visitors and students to members, volunteers, and donors.”

AT&T Excelerator grants support worthy nonprofit organizations such as the Chula Vista Nature Center by helping them introduce new technologies that ultimately result in improved or increased programs for the populations they serve. The ATT&T Foundation is the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, Inc.

“Although the grant doesn’t specify a timeline for completing the upgrades, we intend to be up and running within the next six months,” added Beintema.