LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER TO REOPEN ON WEEKENDS

Nature center will book private tours during weekdays after May 1

Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista announced it is reopening to the public May 1 after a year of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the nature center is set to welcome guests back Saturdays and Sundays only. Limited private tour reservations will be available Monday through Friday, said Communications Manager Rachel Harper.

Due to ongoing health-related restrictions, the nature center is set to reopen with limitations, such as asking guests health screening questions, requiring face masks and physical distancing.

The reopening comes after pandemic-related shutdowns forced the center to close.

With public visits and educational programmings, such as field trips, wildlife camps and animal feedings, as the nature center’s main source of revenue, the closure placed the Chula Vista nonprofit in financial uncertainty, Executive Director Ben Vallejos told the Chula

Vista City Council during a July 2020 meeting.

Almost a year ago, officials turned to the public for financial support, launching in July a virtual campaign to raise $500,000 by August.

“We definitely had some concerns last year, which kicked off our main fundraiser, and we had set a goal to raise $500,000,” said Harper.

“Over the year we ended

up raising over $900,000. It was such a success. We are so grateful and so, that is one of the reasons that we’re able to reopen right now. The community really came together and really showed their love and support.”

The Living Coast Discovery Center has been hosting private tours for about a month, which have been a success, said Harper.

“It’s really nice to see people are able to come out in their own little cohort and feel very safe, and they have the whole place to themselves,” she said. “They get a private guided tour for two hours and they get an animal encounter at the end.”

For more information about admission and what to know before scheduling a visit, go to thelivingcoast.org.