The vision of the Environment Working Group is to preserve the San Diego region’s treasured environmental resources so all generations will enjoy clean air, safe water, and natural areas for people and wildlife.

To better protect our health, local wildlife, and the many natural qualities that make the San Diego region a special place to live, the Environment Working Group has three initiatives:

Land and Watershed Conservation

Clean Environments, Healthy Communities

Climate Change

Environment Program Grant Making Results To Date

• Granted funds to local land trusts and other conservation organizations who collectively acquired and preserved over 25,000 additional acres of critical habitats and culturally-sensitive lands, and raised $149.8 million in private and public funding secured for land acquisition and stewardship;
• Funded community-based organizations working with low-income urban neighborhoods and Native American reservations to educate over 2,200 community residents and reduce exposure to toxic pollutants in south San Diego Bay front and tribal communities;
• Engaged nearly 17,000 new volunteers to assist organizations through community outreach/advocacy, environment-based education programs, nonprofit membership and board leadership;
• Supported the first comprehensive, regional effort undertaken by scientists to conduct a countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and assess the potential impacts of climate change. Nine cities and the County now have a completed community greenhouse gas emissions inventory from which they can work to curb emissions and address climate change impacts.

What can you do to help?
Make a contribution to address the environmental issues you care about in the San Diego region!

The Orca Fund (3:03 min)

1. Join Friends of The Foundation. When you join Friends of The Foundation, you may designate your gift to support The Foundation’s environment programs.

2. Make a lasting gift to the Environment Endowment. Your contribution will help build this significant and enduring source of funding for our region’s environmental needs today and far into the future.

3. Create your own fund for the environment. Open a non-endowment fund for immediate grantmaking or an endowment to extend the impact of your gift to future generations. You decide the name of your fund and the organizations or causes it will support.

Contact Emily Young to learn more about The Foundation’s environment programs or any of these giving options at eyoung@sdfoundation.org or 619-235-2300.

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