END of SUMMER PARTY

Pro Peninsula wants to say "Thank you" to those who have participated at this year's Summer Lunada as well as all of our Pro Peninsula Friends for their continuous support.

A SURPRISE PARTY FOR YOU!

PRO PENINSULA VIRTUAL SUMMER LUNADA EXTENDED FOR 15 DAYS & A SURPRISE PARTY FOR YOU!
Mark Your Calendar: September 10th 7:30pm - 10:00pm
       To thank you for helping Pro Peninsula make the Virtual Summer Lunada a fundraising success, we’d like to treat our supporters to a surprise End of Summer Party! Together with our new partner, the La Jolla Yoga Center, we invite you to join us on September 10th from 7:30pm-10:00pm for a casual night of celebration.
      Party includes complimentary drinks and snacks, exclusive art show by local artist Skye Walker, music by Carolina Aboumbrad, great conversations-about-conservation, and other Pro Peninsula surprises! The Party also features an incredible silent auction, including fantastic prizes spanning from REI's Novara Bike Package valued at $800 (starting bid is $200) to Wabisabi Green's trio flower pot valued at $150 (starting bid is $45). Not an auction to miss, as one lucky party-goer will win!
       This event is FREE for Virtual Lunada guests plus 1 friend (those who have purchased a Virtual Lunada e-Ticket +1) and Lunada Partners. For everyone else who wishes to attend, we suggest an admission donation of $10.

Friday, September 10th 2010
7:30PM - 10:00PM

La Jolla Yoga Center, 7741 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, California 92037

LUXURY RAFFLE offers amazing packages!!!!!

*Join us for an exciting month of giving & fun-filled surprises, in celebration of Pro Peninsula’s community conservation efforts throughout San Diego & the Baja California peninsula.

As our first-ever VIRTUAL event, we are featuring a Luxury Raffle, including extravagant & dream-worthy packages worth thousands! When you purchase your Virtual Lunada ticket online ($60), you will autimatically be entered in the Luxury Raffle Competition.

SNEAK PEAK: ESPIRITU SANTI PACKAGE: THIS IS JUST ONE of our amazing raffle packages shown below. YOU COULD BE A WINNER! So, check the rest of the prizes and get involved today!

Espiritu Santi: A Once in a Lifetime Package
Grab your closest friends and family and share a fabulous sunset cruise on the beautiful Espiritu Santi catamaran! This package includes accommodation for 8 people, featuring drinks and a private hostess to serve you.
The Espiritu Santi, a Chris White designed Atlantic 57, is a high performance luxury world cruising sailing catamaran. This is--quite literally-- a unique charter opportunity! For the discriminating sailor who is looking for an exclusive cruising experience on a yacht that blends comfort, safety, and exceptional sailing characteristics.
Value of $3,000.



To view our other LUXURY RAFFLE PACKAGES visit: http://www.propeninsula.org/window/1/76.html
Event Sponsors:

The Virtual Summer Lunada is going in its 2nd round!

The Virtual Summer Lunada is in its 2nd week and we at Pro Peninsula are excited that many people are participating.
However, MORE support is needed to guarantee the sustainability of Pro Peninsula's programs such as the Sea Turtle conservation program, the Ocean Connectors Education program as well as the Seabird and the Gray Whales & Laguna San Ignacio program.

Please consider donating through the Giving Cactus. The Giving Cactus allows you to give directly to the Pro Peninsula initiatives you feel most passionate about.

For more information about Pro Peninsula's Program please visit: http://www.propeninsula.org/window/1/73.html !
 
To purchase your Ticket and come to know what LUNADA is all about please visit: https://www.propeninsula.org/summer_lunada.php 

The Vitual Summer Lunada has begun!!

We cordially invite you to Pro Peninsula’s unique fundraising extravaganza, our "Virtual" Summer Lunada!

NOW : August 1st - 31st 2010

$60 per person

to purchase your e-ticket Click Here https://www.propeninsula.org/summer_lunada.php

This year’s Summer Lunada includes a unique Giving Cactus donation program, allowing you to give directly to the Pro Peninsula projects and initiatives you feel most passionate about!
This virtual event will feature a Luxury Raffle, including extravagant & dream-worthy packages worth thousands!

During the first week of Pro Peninsula's Virtual Lunada, $1000 have been fundraised (as of 8/05/2010).

*Join us for an exciting month of giving & fun-filled surprises, in celebration of Pro Peninsula’s community conservation efforts throughout San Diego & the Baja California peninsula.

Virtual Summer Lunada - Stay Tuned!

For more info view:
 https://www.propeninsula.org/summer_lunada.php

Pro Peninsula supports rehabilitation programs in the GULF !!!

We at Pro Peninsula  are contributing to conservation and wildlife rehabilitation programs located in the gulf throughout the summer. So far we have raised over $1000 by Sea Turtle adoptions, the number is continuously rising. Amongst the rehabilitation programs that Pro Peninsula supports in the GULF is the  Audubon Society.

The proceeds go directly to support the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center south of New Orleans. This is the primary rehab center for turtles that were pulled from the Gulf in Louisiana. See pics below.

Thank you for your support- Please, keep supporting our programs so we can support rehabilitation in the GULF. How to adopt a Sea turtle: https://www.propeninsula.org/adopt/1.html

 Virtual Summer Lunada

August 1st-31st 2010
Pro Peninsula is very excited to announce that the 4th annual Summer Lunada has gone VIRTUAL! We are hosting a month-long online fundraising event during August 2010, dedicated to Pro Peninsula's community conservation efforts throughout San Diego and the Baja Calofornia Peninsula.


This unique virtual fundraiser features a luxury raffle including packages worth thousands, and Pro Peninsula's one-of-a-kind "Giving Cactus" program that allows you to give directly to the Pro Peninsula projects that you feel most passionate about!


In light of the recent oil spill catastrophe, Pro Peninsula finds it more important than ever for the public to get together in support of community and conservation efforts.


After contributing to conservation and wildlife rehabilitation programs located in the gulf this summer, Pro Peninsula is committed to continuing and strengthening our conservation efforts close to home. Additionally, Pro Peninsula will donate 10% of funds raised during the Virtual Lunada to the conservation projects in the gulf.


During last year’s Summer Lunada event, Pro Peninsula was able to raise over $30,000 in direct support of our environmental protection efforts, including sea turtle conservation. You can further our mission and help us reach this year’s Lunada fundraising goal by purchasing a "virtual " ticket today.


Event details:
What: Summer Lunada gone virtual

When: August 2010

Where: https://www.propeninsula.org/lunada

Tickets: $60

Virtual Summer Lunada Coming Soon!

Stay Tuned!!

The Resuls Are In!

Hey Everyone!
The results of the Humanity Calls Tournament are in, thanks to votes and donations made by YOU we ended up in 17th place! By remaining in the top 30 voted nonprofit groups we were able to receive $1,147.49 (of which $115 was from direct donations)! We thank everyone who voted for Pro Peninsula and also everyone who made donations! Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated!

-Amy

I am Back!

After an amazing internship experience at Pro Peninsula during the time of the WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL I have decided to get on board for a second internship; this time I will help prepare for the upcoming SUMMER LUNADA

I am excited to be back !!!

-Rowena

Thank You Everyone!

Thanks to everyone who has given their support at the Ritual Tavern and in the Humanity Calls Tournament! Through contributions from Ritual Tavern sales and turtle adoptions we earned more the $500 for the Sea Turtle Fund! We ended up in 17th place in the Humanity Calls Tournament and received $120 in donations,  which means we will get a portion of the $63,000 from the tournament! These have both been great successes for Pro Peninsula and we really appreciate all the support everyone has given! - AMY

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Sea Turtles Swimming into Deep Trouble

One in Five Turtles Rescued from the Oil Spill Come out Alive as Wildlife Agents Work to Save Them
READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/21/eveningnews/main6604741.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

Sea Turtle Fundraising Event @ The Ritual Tavern

Come do your part to help clean up the mess in the Gulf! Next Tuesday (June 22nd)  the Ritual Tavern Bar & Restaurant will be donating 25% of it's proceeds for the night to the Sea Turtle Fund! So come and bring your friends and family, hang out with the Pro Peninsula staff, and know that part of the cost of your entertainment will be going to help the turtles in the Gulf!

The Ritual Tavern
June 22nd 5:30 to Close
Located:
4095 30th Street
San Diego, Ca 92104
(619) 283-1720

For more info click here!

Thanks for your support, see you there!
-Amy

How to HELP the Sea Turtles in the Gulf!

The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico is still spilling 210,000 gallons of oil into the water every day! This is a serious problem for all marine life, especially the Kemp Ridley sea turtles that use the area as their only nesting grounds. So far there have been 278 sea turtles found, either dead or stranded, along the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana.



The good news is that You can help today by donating to The Ocean Foundation’s Sea Turtle Fund or by adopting a sea turtle through Pro Peninsula! All turtle adoptions and donations made to The Ocean Foundation’s Sea Turtle Fund during June-August 2010 will be directed to conservation efforts directly relating to recovering sea turtles harmed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.


Pro Peninsula has also partnered with The Ritual Tavern Restaurant & Bar to help raise money for the Sea Turtle Fund! On June 22nd from 5:30 to closing the Ritual Tavern will donate 25% of proceeds from sales to The Sea Turtle Fund! If you plan on going out to eat anyways, come to the Ritual Tavern  and know that you will being enjoying good food and helping the sea turtles in the Gulf!


To ADOPT a Sea Turtle Click Here


To DONATE to the Sea Turtle Fund Click Here


Directions to The Ritual Tavern Restaurant & Bar

Once again Thanks for all your support!

-Amy

Signs of the Tide

Hello Pro Peninsula Friends,

Come tonight to get the low-down on what San Diego is doing to stop marine pollution here in our community. This FREE event hosted by San Diego Coastkeeper will feature several speakers and presentations which aim to discuss the marine pollution problems here in San Diego, as well as possible solutions to this growing problem. It's a great way to get involved, and best of all it's FREE and EDUCATIONAL!

Signs of the Tide
Held TONIGHT from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Encinitas Library Community Room
540 Cornish Dr
Encinitas

Get more info: Signs of the Tide

Humanity Calls!

Hi Everyone!


I am so excited to be a part of Pro Peninsula, and I'm looking forward to doing whatever I can to help this amazing nonprofit organization!


My first priority is to help Pro Peninsula be voted into the top 30 nonprofit groups participating in the Humanity Calls Fundraising Tournament hosted by eBay. The best part is that ANYONE can VOTE, and it's one of the EASIEST ways you can help make a difference and support Pro Peninsula's environmental conservation work! Pro Peninsula is currently in 13th place, and if we remain in the top 30 until the end of the tournament Pro Peninsula will receive a portion of $50,000+! You can earn more votes and even make donations directly to Pro Peninsula or the tournament itself through the link posted on our Homepage at www.propeninsula.org. Just a reminder, ANYONE can VOTE, and EVERY VOTE COUNTS!


Visit www.humanitycalls.org and vote for The Pro Peninsula Fund, The Ocean Foundation, TODAY!


Thanks for all your support!


-Amy

Hi From Amy!

My name is Amy Wann and I am the new intern here at Pro Peninsula! I am 24, and my hometown is Yucaipa, Ca. I enjoy nature and love animals, and I am also a huge nerd which is why I recently graduated with my degree in Biology. Frances and I were roommates in college and I began doing volunteer work with her for Pro Peninsula, I really admired how much passion she has for her job and was excited to have a chance to do an internship where I can get firsthand experience in the environmental conservation world. I am looking forward to working with the Pro Peninsula crew and hope to be able to help however I can! I really enjoy being outdoors and taking in all the natural beauty we have right here in San Diego, I am so lucky I get the chance to work with a group like Pro Peninsula which is dedicated to educating our community on how we can help conserve what’s in our own backyard!


See you soon!


-Amy

"See You Soon!"

Today is my last day as an Intern at Pro Peninsula. I am leaving with mixed feelings.


For once, it feels great to have been such a big part of establishing this year's Wild & Scenic Film Festival. It has been amazing to put my energy towards coordinating the volunteers for the festival and working towards a common goal.
However, it is also good to know that I can now channel all my energy into school, married life, and friends again.
Either way, I am sad to leave since I will miss the staff (Gigi, Frances and Kama). I have much admiration for their efforts towards making the world a better place by conserving species that are threatened by extinction and fighting for the environment.


I can promise you guys and Pro Peninsula that I will not disappear but stay involved and plugged in instead. So this is Not a goodbye - A See You Soon Instead! - Rowena Serafez

What a Triumph !!!!

Pro Peninsula is happy to announce a successful 2ndAnnual hosting of The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival at Hazard Center’s Ultrastar Cinemas on March 23rd and March 25th.


The festival was an overall triumph: new members, exciting prizes, enlightening conversations, inspiring films and happy event guests, all coming together to support Pro Peninsula’s conservation work.

Pro Peninsula also debuted its organizational video on the big screen, by Skye Walker. You can view our video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhzWPYZZ0IM

Besides the films, this fun filled event included a raffle, silent auction, and a community fair. The fair contained great informational booths from Allied Climbers San Diego, SD Coastkeepers, Think Blue, Outdoor Outreach and over seven local event sponsors and supporters of conservation. Pro Peninsula hosted a bar at the festival getting the guests hooked at the great taste of Sierra Nevada Beer as well Jersey’s delicious juice.

From all the staff at Pro Peninsula, we would like to thank everyone who attended, supported, and volunteers to make this event a success. Thank you to this years event assistant coordinator, Rowena Serafez and to our new members, WELCOME. We wish Pro Peninsula to become a new source of information and friendship, sharing common ideas toward furthering our mission to strengthen individual efforts and community efforts to protect the environment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhzWPYZZ0IM

Wild and Scenic next week!!!! Buy your ticket today!

Wild and Scenic next week!!!! Buy your ticket today!


SYCRL’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival is back in town!
Join Pro Peninsula, as they host this magnificent festival once more, showcasing jaw dropping inspirational films about our wondrous natural surroundings. The event will be parted into a two nights of amazing film viewing, together with a wine inclusive pre-social, raffle, silent auction and Environmental Fair.

Among our film selection are the prize winning movies Big River, Tapped, and a Sheltered Sea. Check out the trailers at: http://www.propeninsula.org/window/1/56.html

The film viewing will be taking place on Tuesday, March 23rd and Thursday, March 25th. The doors will open at 6:00pm, and the film will start at 7:00pm. The general admission tickets are $15 for one day festival ticket, $25 for two day festival ticket. The VIP tickets are $30 for a one day festival ticket and $50 for a two day festival ticket. For event information and tickets, please visit www.propeninsula.org/wildscenic,

Film Program for Wild and Scenic....Check it out

2010

Wild and Scenic On Tour

*Big River – 27 min.
Curt Ellis, Aaron Woolf
The filmmakers of KING CORN are back! Curt and Ian have returned to Iowa with a new mission: to investigate the environmental impact their acre of corn has had on the people and places downstream. In a journey that extends from the American heartland to the Gulf of Mexico, the guys trade their combine for a canoe and set out to see the big world their little acre of corn has touched. www.bigriverfilm.com http://www.bigriverfilm.com/#/Trailer,

Brower Youth Awards: Forces of Nature – Six, individual 5 min. profiles
Earth Island Institute
Earth Island Institute established the Brower Youth Awards to honor legendary environmental activist, David R. Brower and to call forth a new generation of leaders. The awards honor six young people for their activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy. www.broweryouthawards.org
Alec Loorz, 15, of California, the youngest presenter of Al Gore’s “The Climate Project” and the founder of SLAP, Sea Level Awareness Program, to educate coastal Californians about sea level rise and global warming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx7kJf4Uo1U,


The Fun Theory: Piano Staircase – 2 min.
Martin Larsson, Daniel Alinder
The Fun Theory is an award that recognizes those thoughts, ideas and inventions that prove the fun theory…the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better. ” Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better” is something we often hear or read in the Sunday papers. Few people actually follow that advice. Can we get more people to take the stairs over the escalator by making it fun to do? See the results here. www.thefuntheory.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw,


*Garbage Angels – 6 min.
Pierre Trudeau
What happens when trash meets trash? Could there be life in a dump? Best Canadian Short, Planet in Focus. www.pierretrudeau.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCZS7tjKcRw

Greenhorns – 20 min.
Severine von Tscharner Fleming
This spring found young farmers as unlikely poster children of a new zeitgeist. In many communities these bright 20- and 30-somethings are contributing and leading the way into a new world of agriculture, sustainability and economics. www.thegreenhorns.net http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7o3fxw6oE,


Samsara – 19 min.
Renan Ozturk
The sacred peak of Meru, in the Vindhya Mountains of India is said in mythology to be the center of the universe, but can you climb to the center of the universe? Climbing team Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk set out to attempt a first ascent of this 6,500 foot rock route. Telluride Mountain Film - Charlie Fowler Award. www.rockmonkeyart.com http://www.rockmonkeyart.com/Creative_SHorts.html,

Tapped – 76 min. (available for additional $75)
Stephanie Soechtig, Sarah Olson
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold? Take a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of the bottled water industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought to never become a commodity: our water. Best Documentary - Eugene Int’l Film Festival. www.tappedthemovie.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72MCumz5lq4,


A Sheltered Sea: The Journey of the California Marine Life Protection Act – 23 min.
William Bayne, April Bucksbaum
There is a pioneering conservation action taking place along the coast of California. The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) brings together diverse stakeholders—fishermen, conservationists, scientists, government, divers, and ocean-loving citizens—in a process to set aside marine refuges akin to our country’s National Parks. Best Ocean Conservation Film, Blue Ocean Film Festival. www.caloceans.org, www.thebaumfoundation.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gdvb4ORkec&feature=player_embedded,

*Sea Turtles in Bahia Magdalena
David McGuire
Local Fishermen turned conservationists join ecotourists to help protect endangered Sea Turtles throughout the Baja California Peninsula.

Pro Peninsula on the Radio!!!!!!!!! omg

http://treehuggersintl.com/2010/pro-peninsula-wild-and-scenic-2010/

Film Festival

Hello Pro Peninsula Friends:),

!!!!!!!!!! ONLY 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE BIG EVENT!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited that we have made so much progress in planning this great event!
Since last week, we have been able to add volunteers and sponsors towards aiding the success of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2010.

I have had the pleasure to invite the film maker's of our features to join us on March 23rd and 25th at the Festival!

!!!!!!!!How exciting we will have guest from all over the world !!!

Can't wait to see you there........

Rowena

http://www.propeninsula.org/

Pro Peninsula invites you to its second annual hosting of SYRCL's Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival On Tour, at Hazard Center's Ultrastar Cinemas, Tuesday March 23rd and Thursday, March 25th 6:00-9:30pm. Purchase your tickets online today at http://www.ultrastarmovies.com/!

This touring festival is the Nation’s largest film festival of its kind, and Pro Peninsula is proud to be a part of it. We will be exhibiting a selection of fascinating films that highlight environmental concerns spanning from bottled water, climate change, and agricultural impacts, to fun anecdotal and adventure pieces on activism.

Each evening will exhibit about 100 fascinating minutes of film and will will also be accompanied by a pre-social and intermission with $5 wine and $3 Sierra Nevada Beer, community and environmental fair, silent auction and an exciting raffle, all serving to get to motivate the San Diego community to act on behalf of the environment.



Additionally, on Wednesday March 23rd 6:00-9:00PM, VIP guests, Pro Peninsula members, sponsors and local nonprofit groups, are invited to are meet and greet celebration at one of our primary event sponsor’s location, Point Loma Outfitting, which will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live DJ performance, and a unique opportunity to speak to a few film directors from the film festival. We hope to see you there!

We are currently still looking for event sponsors, please contact Giuliana Schroeder at gigi@propeninsula.org if interested in receiving sponsorship information.

EVENT DETAILS:


- Tuesday March 23rd & Thursday March 25th 6PM-9:30PM


- Ultrastar Cinemas, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92108

- $15 General Admission

-$30 VIP (includes membership, shirt, festival ticket, VIP party invitation, 1 raffle ticket).

-For event information, please visit www.propenisula.org/wildscenic .

Exciting weeks at Pro Peninsula

It has been another exciting week at Pro Peninsula!!!

I feel like the team and I have achieved so much! We have worked on finalizing the Film Program for the Wild & Scenic Film festival : http://www.propeninsula.org/window/1/55.html as well as finding sponsors for the WSEFF and participant for our environmental fair.

I have been busy and my head was spinning by the end of the day but I feel like organizing a Film Festival is such a great process to be a part of and to put your input towards.


Its really been so fun and exciting ! I feel proud to present you guys the trailer of my favorite piece if the WSEFF "Tapped"....The trailer is so amazing and its an absolute MUST SEE : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72MCumz5lq4.


It'll be fun - Come out on Tuesday, March 23rd and Thursday March 25th, at the Hazard Center’s Ultrastar Cinemas in San Diego.
See you there!- Rowena

Rowena's Experience Interning at Pro Peninsula

It's been one exciting week since I started interning here at Pro Peninsula and I have learned so much already. It is truly great to work with people who can teach you things you never even heard of, to explore the world of national and domestic non- profits, and to achieve insight knowledge upon environmental protection programs and efforts. I am stoked to be a part of the the Pro Peninsula Team and to have a leadership position in organizing the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, WSEFF.

Even though I have organized professional events in the past the WSEFF is certainly a unique opportunity for me. It is amazing to see how many people are involved in organizing and planning an event at the scope of the WSEFF. On a day to day basis I am reaching out to the Pro Peninsula volunteer community and interacting not only with our great staff but also with our committee members.

Last night, we held the first committee meeting for this year's Film Festival. My supervisor, Gigi, Frances and myself each spoke to the members and provided them with all the necessary information needed for them to provide their resources such as their knowledge and skills to help us promote and establish the big event.

It was truly exciting to be a part of the meeting and I honestly got a bit nervous prior to the meeting.
I am more than thankful to have the opportunity to partake in something that the San Diego Community can greatly benefit from. The outcome of our Film Festival can and will be powerful and essential to each one of us!

Internship at Pro Peninsula

Hello,

My name is Rowena Serafez and I am the new intern at Pro Peninsula. I am stoked on having the opportunity to connect an internship with my passion which is to help the environment as well as our community.
About me: I was born and raised in Germany. At the age of 19 I decided to start an adventure and moved to the USA by myself. I spend my first two years of college in Rockville, MD where I graduated with an A.A. in International Business in December 2007. In February 2008, I moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State University. Today, I am a senior at San Diego State University and am majoring in Management / Entrepreneurship. I am more than excited about this intern opportunity and look forward to work with the Pro Peninsula community and to network with members as well as friends.

My objectives for this internship are to get as much field experience as possible and to be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at school to a hands-on experience at Pro Peninsula. Starting today I will be in a leadership position organizing the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, WSEFF, which will be held in Mission Valley’s hazard Center in San Diego. I will act as a liaison between the volunteers who are helping us and the company, Pro Peninsula, with the organization of the WSEFF. I am more than excited about this opportunity and look forward to work with the Pro Peninsula community and to network with members as well as friends.

Cheers,

Rowena Serafez

Here are some pictures taken on the boat today!

Whale Watching Trip!

Today, I went with Frances on a whale watching field trip! We escorted a fourth grade class from Kimbrough Elementary school onto a boat which left from the San Diego Bay and into ocean water in which Gray Whales swim for their path of migration.  The purpose of this trip was to educate children more about the whales and their habitat and to increase their interest in the subject by actually giving them a chance to experience this wildlife up close and personal.  These students are also writing to pen pals in Mexico in an effort to have both countries work together in order to keep the whales thriving and to prevent them from becoming endangered.  I think that this was an amazing opportunity to be given to children especially at such a young age, even I was extremely excited about the opportunity! We saw about four or five whales playing in the water, many dolphins, and a few sea lions, all of which caused the children to be overwhelmed with excitement.

Last Thursday I went along with Frances Kinney to visit a classroom of 6th graders who were writing to their pen pals in Mexico.  The purpose of this pen pal idea is an effort for children in both the U.S. and Mexico to work together to help our environment and do what they can to save the Sea Turtles.  As Frances explained to the students, this is important because since sea turtles have no understanding of the line that the border represents, it is necessary for both countries to work together.  It was fun to see how excited the children got about writing to kids in another country, and how the Spanish speakers really made an effort to help out and work together with the English speakers so that they could write their letters in Spanish.
Here are some pictures of the kids working together!

The Ocean Connectors Kids page has also been updated, go to http://www.propeninsula.org/content/1/1/14.html to check out new pictures from the latest field trips and the new animated turtle graphic!

Wild&Scenic page is up!

The Wild & Scenic page is up on our website! Visit www.propeninsula.org/wildscenic to check it out and get details about the time, dates, prices for the film festival and to learn more about what it is.  You can order tickets and make donations online from this page.  I have been spending some time on photoshop putting together the final designs for the official post card and poster for the event, which will be posted on the page as well.  Check it out, you don't want to miss out on the opportunity!

Nature Center Photos

   

Chula Vista Nature Center Field Trip

Today I took a break from working on marketing for the film festival and went along on a field trip with Frances.  We gave a 7th grade class from Montgomery Middle School a tour of the fascinating Chula Vista Nature Center.  The class was split into groups and took turns exploring the inside aquariums and outside animal exhibits, learning and taking notes about the animals that they were observing.  A nature center isn't something I would normally expect to be very interested in, but when we arrived, I was actually very excited about the interesting exhibits and the beautiful scenery that surrounded them.  The students were able to see sea turtles being fed and were crowded around the tank taking photos.  I think that this field trip was an excellent idea, because it increased the childrens' awareness of some the beautiful animals that are becoming endangered.  Overall, the trip was definitely a success.  I took many pictures throughout the day and will be posting them in my next blog.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival

With the Wild and Scenic environmental film festival coming up in March, now is the time to start preparing by working on creating the poster for this years festival and going through movie trailers for the different choices for films that will be chosen this year.  It is difficult, because there are many choices and only a limited amount of time.  The film festival will be split up into two days, each lasting about an hour and 30 minutes and containing a feature film and a few shorter films to accompany it.  We are choosing which movies to feature out of a list of about 55 films, ranging from about 5 minutes long to lover 100 minutes long.  The films are covering current widespread environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, sustainable agriculture and growth, and the contamination of our oceans.  All of the videos contain powerful and sometimes startling facts and people who are passionate about making a difference in the environment.  Narrowing the selection down to a few that can fit within our time frame is difficult, but some stand out more than others. The ones that caught my attention the most are some of the longer, higher budget films that may not be possible to fit into the two days and the time frame that we are given, but below I have listed a few of my favorites so far.  If you have any ideas as to which subjects should be featured and which movies you prefer, let me know what you think!

"Fuel"-112 min.


"No Impact Man"-93 min.


"The Ripple Effect"-34 min.


"A Sea Change"-64 min.


"Nourish"-26 min.

My name is Alia Boynton, I am just starting off my internship here at Pro Peninsula.  In the past couple of days, I have learned a great amount about this company and am very excited about my experience of being an intern here for the month of January.  Here at the Pro Peninsula office, we are finally wrapping up the holiday push, which was a very successful period in which the company achieved over $10,000 in funds from donations, actually exceeding their goals.  Pro Peninsula has just recently merged with the Ocean Foundation, which is the first community foundation for the oceans. This merge was fairly recent, so Pro Peninsula is still  adjusting to becoming a fund within a larger company.  In March, there will be an environmental film festival, we are currently visiting locations for where the festival will take place and putting together a team of people to help determine which videos will make it. I am excited to begin my experience as an intern for Pro Peninsula, and will be continuing to post updates on what is happening!