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Ocean Discovery Institute 

Address:

Organization Description:

Mission: Ocean Discovery Institute educates urban youth about science, the ocean and nature through tuition-free programs, creating the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders. 

Vision: A scientific community that reflects the diversity of our society; Urban children and youth are empowered to reach their goals; People from diverse communities have an understanding of the sciences, personal connection to the natural world and a commitment to steward the environment.

Founded in 1999, Ocean Discovery Institute operates programs that utilize three strategies: classroom-based experiential science programs, intensive after-school and summer programs, community-based habitat restoration.

Issue Area(s):

• Education
• Environmental Issues & Outdoor Recreation

Type(s) of Bonner Partnership Connections:

• Alternative Break Site
• Internship opportunity
• Resource Provider

Alternative Break Site

(Alternative Break, Internship, Educational opportunity, etc.)

Type of Opportunity & Description: Students will work to restore Swan Canyon as part of a larger environmental stewardship project led by the City Heights Canyons and Communities Alliance and Ocean Discovery Institute to restore urban canyons.  Swan Canyon is located in the extremely diverse community of City Heights in central San Diego, California.  City Heights is one of America's premier immigrant and refugee gateways to this country and there are over 100 languages spoken.  The canyon is at the headwaters of Chollas Creek, a sub-area of the Pueblo Watershed.  Decades of development and negative human impact have rendered the watershed unhealthy for wildlife and people.  The creek has been listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an "impaired" body of water due to the high levels of toxicity.  Swan Canyon is a particularly blighted section of the watershed with significant amounts of trash and large stands of invasive Arrundo, a non-native plant that destroys habitat for wildlife and creates hidden areas that are unsafe for children.  The City Heights neighborhood that surrounds the canyon has little access to natural environments.  Swan Canyon offers a great opportunity to improve habitat for the benefit of wildlife, water quality and human health and enjoyment.

Student restoration projects depend on the season but would include a combination of the following: invasive plant removal, planting native plants, removing trash, water and/or mulching native plants and maintaining outdoor education area and trails.  Volunteers may work with Ocean Discovery Institute students and/or community members belonging to the Friends of Swan Canyon group.

In addition, we regularly organize "boot camps" at out facility for groups interested in office or artistic volunteer work that is indoors.  Our high school students typically work alongside volunteers, providing opportunities for mentorship.

Start/End Dates: flexible

Application Process: 

Application Deadline:

Stipend Provided?:

Housing Provided?:

Hosted Bonners before?: Yes: We are greatly impressed and appreciative of the Bonner group from the College of Charleston that spent winter break 2008 building natural stairs in Swan Canyon.  Not only did they help to restore the canyon, they served as mentors for our high school students who benefited greatly from the interaction with college students who were also of diverse backgrounds.

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