Baja Blog

Final Post

2011-06-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

My time here has been really fun. I am very glad that my school allows us this opportunity to experience the work place. These past few weeks have gotten rid of my unsureness with my future and it has strengthened my desire to help the environment. Now I know that that I want to take a career path that will lead down the road of environment and ecosystem conservation. Pro Peninsula has taught me that we need to help the environment. I am now much more aware to the state of the environment and how it needs to be improved. It went by much faster than I expected. Of the several task I did my favorite task was replying to the craigslist emails. I enjoyed these because they were a good break from some of the more tedious work. I am very grateful that Pro Peninsula and Gigi allowed me to intern here.

The Second Week

2011-06-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

This experience made me want to move toward a college path that is more involved in environment conservation and protection. Before internships I was still unsure of which specific career I would want to do. Now I now that I would do something related to Pro Peninsula's focus. I think that I could see myself do something similar to my internship in the future. I would like to work with environment conservation and work in the same field as Pro Peninsula. Today I went to an elementary school that had been learning about whales and how we can help protect them. The kids have pen pal in Mexico that are also learning about the whales. I helped pass out the letters to the children. They were all very happy to receive letters. I found this experience very interesting and I enjoyed it. I really enjoy it here and I am looking forward to my next week working here.

Goodbye everyone!

2011-06-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Never before, in my life, have four weeks ever gone by this fast. I never thought that going off on my internship would be as interesting or fun as it was for me. Although what I've mostly done so far is office stuff, and other random tasks; what I enjoyed most during my time here were the classroom visits. Even though, I was mostly uninvolved, I really liked seeing the 5th graders, and watching them get so excited about our visits. They all seemed so excited about learning about the sea turtles, and what they could do to help them from going extinct. It was also interesting to look down sometimes on the letters I passed out as I passed them out. I have realized that I need to practice my Spanish more. I could barely understand some of the letters that these younger kids were reading.

I've learned quite a lot in the few weeks I've been here. Not only about sea turtles and what we can do to help them, but also about the whole working experience as a whole. During my whole four week internship experience, I've had a very random schedule, where I came in early on somedays, and later on other days. I've learned that it's really important to keep your schedule flexible, and to be able to come in on time. I've also noticed that there's a lot of difficulties involved in moving out of an office.

I will use the information I learned by picking up litter, recycling more, and doing what I can to promote and teach others about the importance of their actions, and the effect they have on the environment. I've also learned about the working experience as a whole, and I will try my best to improve wherever I need to improve as I slowly but surely rise in my path to a professional career.

Bye everyone,
Michael C.

First Post

2011-06-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am Gabriel Parr and I am a junior at High Tech High North County. A big part of our junior year at High Tech High is internships. My favorite and best subject is biology, so naturally I would lean toward that field of work. At first I had an internship with the Wild Animal Park, but as it turns out my position there was already filled. So I chose to intern with Pro Peninsula. My teacher had recommended this to me based off of my passion for biology and life sciences. At first I wasn’t sure because I had never heard Pro Peninsula. After reading a little about them and checking out there web site, I decided that it would be a good choice. I chose to intern at Pro Peninsula because one of my interests is environment conservation and protection on wildlife. I will be with Pro Peninsula from June 1^st to June 17^th. I am very interested with the work that this organization does and the cause that they stand for. I am very glad to have the opportunity to experience the work environment first hand and to learn new things.

2nd Week of Internship/ Pro Peninsula 10th Anniversary Party

2011-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

So during my second week of internship all of the staff went to Loreto, BCS, Mexico for the Conservation Science Symposium. The Conservation Science Symposium was a 3 day event in Mexico with the focus of using science to come up with concrete actions and long-term plans to conserve natural resources throughout Baja California and the Gulf of Mexico. From what I understand based off the Program, the whole event was filled with presentations and videos with some moments of fun. During the first week I made a flier/program for the videos that were supposed to be shown on the second night.

While this was happening, I stayed at home and worked on Sea Turtle Updates. I researched the turtle species that I was told to update and wrote two paragraphs using information from a previous update along with some information from what I read on the websites. I had a fun week off. I spent the rest of my time studying for my upcoming SAT, exercising and also just cleaning up my house a bit.

The Pro Peninsula 10th Anniversary Party is happening on June 23rd. During the first week of my internship, I made a flier about this party and an event page for it on our facebook page. It will happen at the Sea Rocket Bistro from 6pm-9pm, and will be awesomely fun. The suggested attire is casual and there is a suggested $10 donation for each person, there will be complimentary drinks and snacks. Yummy sustainable seafood and veggie dishes will be served by Sea Rocket Bistro. It's going to be really fun.

1st Week of Internship

2011-05-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

This week went by really fast. I've had a lot of fun though. I like how everyday here isn't always the same. I like the variety that there is in the tasks that I'm put on. From cropping papers, to making flyers, to laminating, to passing out letters to the elementary school kids; it's all been really fun. I'm already used to the location and the workplace too, and also how the day generally works.

Before this, I've never been on any kind of public transportation by myself, and along with this internship, taking the trolley everyday to work is also a new and fun experience. Everyday there are always new and different faces on the trolley. This definitely is better than going to school. I know its only the first week but I'm looking forward to the rest of my internship here.

Day 1 of My Internship at Pro Peninsula

2011-05-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

I am Michael Caballero, a junior at High Tech High Chula Vista. Being from the second graduating class of my school, I was somewhat surprised last year when I found out I'd have to go on an internship in order to graduate. From the end of my sophomore year to about 4 days ago, I've been nervously awaiting a solid place for my internship. I didn't feel like it was really necessary for me to go out and look for one so I didn't actually choose this place. My cohort teacher told me that this place was bio-related, and it was all about ocean conservation. I felt like this would be a better place to intern at since it also involved protecting animals and nature. I've always liked the ocean, and all of the animals that live in it. When I was younger my favorite field trips were always those going to either the Birch Aquarium or SeaWorld. I looked up this company after hearing that I'd intern with them and I saw turtles on the front page. From that time on I've been really, really excited. I'm really excited for the rest of my internship experience here.

Milan says, "Adieu for now!"

2011-02-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

A month has never gone by so fast! Pro Peninsula has provided me with a full experience of what goes on behind the scenes of the nonprofit / conservation world.

Pro Peninsula through the eyes on an intern is a fascinating one...from assisting in event planning, graphic design, to their incredible education program, I’ve learned what can happen when you set your mind to a goal and focus on pursuing it. Pro Peninsula was built on an idea, and inspiration, a dream that became a reality due to dedication, work, stress, and it now stands proud- a fund within The Ocean Foundation dedicated to making a difference.

Any organization running on this kind of energy can only be successful, especially with a dedicated team behind it. Without such strong commitment, optimism, and drive; Pro Peninsula would be nothing but a dream. Luckily we also have you, our supporters to keep us going, and join the mission to protect the natural environment in Baja California.

Also, if you are interested in interning for them, I recommend you shoot them an email, 'cause I know they could use some extra help right now! and its fun and a great cause.

Power Plant

2011-01-28T11:29:00.001-08:00

Off of E street in Chula Vista there is a power plant that is dedicated to the researching of sea turtles. I’d never known what it was though I drive by it pretty frequently seeing as it is on the way to school from home and vice versa. We drove up to what looked like a factory almost, and parked close to the water. There was a small peninsula that extended into the middle of the small bay, we walked towards a group of people there to also monitor the sea turtles. Shortly after the children showed up, a group of 6th graders, I’d gotten used to 5th graders but I remember 6th grade and feeling superior, so being responsible for these elementary school grownups was a little nerve racking.

We went over some questions from their fifth grade experience at the Chula Vista Nature Center, and decided to make it a little fun, remembering that going on field trips in elementary school, you want the best to happen and to just have a good time. These kids were animated, laughing, a little out of control but listened when I told them to. When we went towards the place where they catch sea turtles we waited watched, but had the chance to learn from the scientists that were there. We all kept an eye out for the turtles but in the end didn’t end up seeing one. Even though we didn’t, it was still an experience worth being there for, and I feel like every moment that I get to spend with children and be a part of a learning experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

I have been at Pro Peninsula for almost a month Guys!

2011-01-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

While I’ve been here, doing mainly stuff that focused on Wild & Scenic like sitting in on meetings & making tickets, I also made the save the dates/postcard, and made the skeleton for the website. I’m pretty proud of the things that I’ve been doing and I feel like it’s going to be put to use & if not, I still feel like I’ve been here for a reason, I’ve learned that when you’re around people who share the same values as you and are just friendly, plus if there is love behind what you do, there is no room for failure. I’ve learned that Pro Peninsula is more than a non profit awesome organization that is dedication to the saving of sea turtles, it’s one of the organization genuinely concerned about what may become of the world if we don’t take charge.

Wild & Scenic film festival is one of the ways that many people can get the out word about things related to nature that they are passionate about. With the time and work they put into these movies they make, they deserve to be seen, but there are only a select amount that can be seen because of the time limit, but even just the effort and the ambition they must have to create something with the hope that something new will become of it is beautiful as is. With that much energy, plus videos that keep you at the edge of your seat, how could you not want ot come?

Pro Peninsula Invites You to the event, Wild & Scenic.

Changing The World That Rests In Their Hands

2011-01-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

During the second week of internship I had the opportunity to go on a few field trips with one of my mentor's co-workers. We went to a place I never knew existed called The Chula Vista Nature Center. Here is where 5th graders from certain schools get a tour of the nature center and after the tour, get to write back to their pen pals in La Paz, one of the nesting places for Green Sea Turtles. After some quick setting up we waited for the children to arrive. They all stepped off the bus enthused and animated, listened to directions, were introduced to me, and began the tour. We stopped to see the Sea Turtle tank first, then to see a Wetland to learn what these places mean to the many birds that stop for a rest during long journeys to more suitable environments. We eventually made our way to the Stingray & Shark Exhibit where I got to see the kids smile and reach into a rocky tank to touch the skin of the creatures that some of them had not ever seen up close.

After several more stops to see birds and learn new and fascinating things, we made our way to the room where the kids would write to their pen pals. We arrived and after some quick directions, I wondered around helping the kids that were struggling. I came across a little boy staring at his letter with his head in his hand. I soon found out that he was deaf in one ear & was having trouble understanding the directions that were given and how to read his letter. I spent around 15 to 20 minutes helping him read & write in Spanish, and watched him receive compliments on his thoughtful and nicely written letter. Watching these children at the Stingray & Shark Exhibit excited and hearing things like "they're so soft", or "whooaaaa", more commonly, though, I’d hear laughs from the joy of being able to learn with their hands and eyes, and seeing their success writing their letters, I realized that my heart is where there are young minds, so capable of learning, giving, and most of all, changing the world that rests in their hands.

Required & Inspired

2011-01-12T16:06:00.000-08:00

My Cohort teacher from school posted a prompt for our internship blogs asking what role our individual internship companies had in the community. I came up with this:

One word to describe Pro Peninsula; Green. Or should I say Blue? Pro Peninsula is fund within the Ocean foundation; attention focus, Sea Turtles. When I think of PeoP, I think of nature, saving endangered species, and overall seeing the beauty of earth and realizing that it should not be taken for grangted. I believe that only after a few days of being here at Pro Peninsula that differences start small.. and they grow, and grow, and you know, one day you have a film festival about what's going on in the world, the wild, that people attend and become informed, you're mailing people who want the updates. Hopefully the word gets out and there and people become more aware and into saving the environment so that up and coming generations will see the world as beautiful as it should be seen. It's pretty heart warming to feel like you're doing something selfless to benefit evey one in the world, and I think that's why so many people are members of green organizations; because of that feeling of doing something about an internationl problem. Deep down, we all want what's best for the world, who not start somewhere? Like Baja?

It's only the beginning.

2011-01-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

I was a sophomore in high school daydreaming in the middle of Chemistry, 4th period, about all of the opportunities that would approach me when I, Milan Finnie, finally became an upperclassman. Informed about the mandatory intern experience every junior must go through in order to complete a high school career at High Tech High Media Arts, San Diego I wondered where I might choose to intern. Later that year, we began a project called HTHMA Organics. The reason for the project was clear; many familiar products are used in the world, and not very often questioned or analyzed, and sometimes contain harsh chemicals that all end up in the big blue sea. Our project was to create all natural, non-chemical beach products; sun screen, aloe, surf wax, and lip balm. Living in Imperial Beach, California, I saw this project in a different light. It would affect my hometown!

Personally, I had the opportunity to make sun screen, and ended the project feeling accomplished, proud, and most importantly, beginning a new life of being one of the many global superheroes in the world.

I am now a junior attending High Tech High Media Arts. Finally, the time came for me to choose my internship, and I struggled immensely until one day, my principal told me to check out Pro Peninsula's website and see what I thought. Interested and stoked, I sit here on my first day, a little nervous, and little anxious, but above all, excited to see how this turns out. I guess we'll just have to see.

Interested in seeing the update? See it here next week.

END of SUMMER PARTY

2010-09-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2010-08-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

*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!

2010-08-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

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!!

2010-08-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

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

Pro Peninsula supports rehabilitation programs in the GULF !!!

2010-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Stay Tuned!!

The Resuls Are In!

2010-07-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

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!"

2010-04-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

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 !!!!

2010-03-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-16T15:15:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-12T11:12:00.001-08:00

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

2010-03-09T15:18:00.001-08:00

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

Film Festival

2010-03-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

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/

2010-03-02T17:10:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures taken on the boat today!

Whale Watching Trip!

2010-01-28T14:25:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-25T13:38:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-22T15:48:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Chula Vista Nature Center Field Trip

2010-01-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T15:27:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

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!