Living Coast Discovery Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center |
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| Location | 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive Chula Vista, California |
| Type | Nature center, aquarium and zoo |
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a super cool place in Chula Vista, California. It's like a zoo and an aquarium all in one! This center is also an environmental education center, which means it teaches people about nature. You can find it inside the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. At the Living Coast, you'll see amazing animals and plants that live right here in Southern California and San Diego Bay.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center first opened its doors in 1987. Back then, it was called the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center. The City of Chula Vista owned and ran the center. Then, in 2010, it became its own independent nonprofit organization. This means it's now run by a group that focuses on its mission. That's when it got its current name, the Living Coast Discovery Center!
Explore the Exhibits: What You Can See
The Living Coast Discovery Center has many exciting areas to explore. Each one lets you get up close with different animals and plants.
Amazing Aquatic Animals
- Turtle Lagoon: Here, you can watch Green sea turtles swimming gracefully. They are truly magnificent creatures!
- Discovery Center Galleria: This area is full of fascinating sea life. You might spot delicate seahorses, colorful jellyfish, slithery eels, and even small sharks. Look for lobsters, crabs, and a clever octopus. Don't miss the bright orange garibaldi damselfish and cool sea stars. You can also see some land animals like snakes and lizards here.
- Shark & Ray Experience & Sting Ray Touch Pool: This is a very popular spot! You can see different kinds of sharks, like Leopard sharks, grey smooth-hound sharks, horn sharks, and swell sharks. The shovelnose guitarfish are also here. The best part is the touch pool, where you can gently touch bat rays and round rays. You might also see diamond rays, crabs, and other fish. Sometimes, a loggerhead sea turtle visits this area too!
Birds of Prey and Shorebirds
- Burrowing Owl Courtyard: This special spot is home to Burrowing Owls. These small owls live in burrows underground.
- Shorebird Aviary: Step into this aviary to see many types of shorebirds. You can find the light-footed Ridgway's rail, black-crowned night heron, and black oystercatcher. Other birds like the red-breasted merganser and hooded merganser also live here.
- Raptor Row: This area is dedicated to amazing birds of prey, also known as raptors. You can see powerful birds like the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and Cooper’s hawk. Look for the speedy peregrine falcon, the large turkey vulture, and different owls like the barn owl and great horned owl. The small American kestrel is also a resident.
- Eagle Mesa: Get ready to be impressed by the majestic golden eagle and the iconic bald eagle at Eagle Mesa.
Native Plants and Outdoor Trails
The center also features beautiful native plant gardens. These gardens show you the types of plants that naturally grow in the area. There's even a composting demonstration garden to learn about recycling organic waste.
From the center, you can explore 1.5 miles of trails. These trails lead you through the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge all the way to the shore of San Diego Bay. It's a great way to see nature up close!
Learning and Education Programs
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a big learning hub. Every year, more than 15,000 school children visit for special field trips. These trips teach them all about science and how to protect our environment. It's a fantastic place to learn outside of the classroom!
