The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit nature center in Carlsbad, CA holds an annual Discovery Gala to raise funds to support the Discovery Center and, more importantly, our award-winning environmental education programs for our community. Our supporters celebrate STEAM educational programming focusing on the marine and wetland environment, solving environmental challenges through community collaboration, equitable access to nature and environmental educational programming, and the multi-use lagoon (Agua Hedionda) that ties us all together. Your donation of an item for our Live or Silent Auction will ensure the success of our largest fundraiser.

Organization Objectives: Our three initiatives include environmental education, conservation, and public access to trails. Specifically surrounding these, we have new strategic goals adopted in 2023 addressing our critical needs. First, expanding our educational offerings to provide programs pre-k to gray, with a successful 2024 launch of our monthly Adult Lecture Series. Conservation and trails are our largest focus. In November we hired first in our history a Full Time Director of Trails and Conservation. 

Description of Event: The event itself is held at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, a partner of ours. The event is a traditional dinner Gala, with drink, dancing and food and with the theme being Lagoon’s Eleven.

Who we are: We are a 501C3 non-profit organization formed in 1990 by passionate Carlsbad citizens who strive to promote the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in its global context. We are not affiliated with or obligated to any government, religious, or for-profit organization. Our initiatives, including our educational programs and events, are supported by ordinary citizens, grants, supporters and members; donations are tax deductible.   

Vision: To be Stewards of the Watershed as we inspire future generations so we all have access to a healthy lagoon.  A safe space in nature…for all. 

Mission: Energize people through education and outreach to preserve the Agua Hedionda Lagoon as an accessible and healthy watershed.   

Who we serve: We are open to the public, but we primarily serve families with school aged children who care about the environment, the watershed and the local community. These families come to Agua Hedionda Lagoon foundation for active ways to involve their kids in fun, hands-on, educational experiences that give them a sense of accomplishment. Our Discovery Center is in Carlsbad, but our educational program (The Academy for Environmental Stewardship) currently supports 11 districts in North County San Diego. Prior to Covid-19, we served 13 districts reaching from Pauma Valley to the City of San Diego. Our recreational access consisting of public easements, trails, fishing opportunities, water recreation, birding amongst others serves the entire region and beyond. Our largest impact is in Carlsbad. 

What makes us different:  By providing direct access to nature (in the form of gardens, wildlife, aqua culture, and water-based recreation), we uniquely offer fun, interactive experiences with diverse bodies that rely on the lagoon. We do this differently from others by offering learning experiences that focus on the hands-on doing (and not just viewing) of how people and wildlife depend on active watershed management.  

DEI Statement: At the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation we have created a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive (DEI) strategy which is embedded in every stage of a Discovery Center experience, both virtually and in-person. Our environmental lessons and activities accommodate individuals with all learning styles, as we inspire guests, students and staff to make our community a better place. We are committed to facilitating an inclusive infrastructure that allows everyone to experience - A Safe Space in Nature… for All.