By SDCN Editor
Solana Beach, CA–Solana Center for Environmental Innovation was awarded a $20,000 grant for the purchase of a new vehicle to expand its environmental education outreach across the San Diego region.
The grant, awarded by local philanthropic organization Las Patronas, helps ensure Solana Center staff can safely and reliably deliver in-demand workshops, consultations, and other environmental education and services to communities throughout San Diego County.
Solana Center has seen a steady rise in requests for environmental education workshops and presentations – a trend that persisted even during the pandemic when most of its educational outreach went virtual. In addition, with the new organic waste diversion law (SB 1383) that went into effect in January 2022, Solana Center is often summoned as the regional expert in providing education to residents and businesses. This year, the environmental nonprofit anticipates hosting more than 250 workshops and consultations – both in-person and online – reaching more than 4,000 people.
As pandemic restrictions continue to ease, the Solana Center team is fulfilling a growing number of requests for in-person education events and consultations. The team is thrilled to receive a roomy new SUV to transport more than two staff, volunteers and equipment to sites throughout the county to fulfill Solana Center’s mission to expand environmental awareness and education.
“With generous support from Las Patronas, we were able to purchase a safe, reliable vehicle, allowing our staff to fulfill our contracted work and pursue new projects,” said Jessica Toth, executive director, Solana Center. “This new vehicle broadens our fleet and increases our capacity to get back on the road and meet more community members where they are, leading educational events and inspiring environmental action throughout our region.”
In general, grants from Las Patronas fund specific critically needed capital items that will have a useful life of at least three years and a significant beneficial impact on the San Diego community. Solana Center anticipates the addition of the new vehicle – of which they now have a total of three – will allow them to reach at least 1,000 additional county residents they most likely could not have reached otherwise. “Las Patronas is honored to assist Solana Center to purchase this new SUV to help their education team reach more San Diego County residents, especially those who live in more remote areas, to learn more about sustainability and conservation,” says Tina Boynton, president, Las Patronas.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is a San Diego-based, environmental nonprofit that has provided waste diversion and environmental education in San Diego County for over 35 years. Solana Center’s work centers on community education, direct resource conservation and waste reduction, and innovative environmental research and development.
