Donation from Sempra
Energy Foundation Energizes
UC San Diego's Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Record gift is in support of "Boundless Energy" exhibit

October 26 , 2010

By Kim Wenrick

The Sempra Energy Foundation has given $600,000 to the University of California, San Diego as lead sponsor of Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s “Boundless Energy” exhibit and education program. This gift is the largest ever made by the Foundation to a nonprofit institution.

“We are proud and pleased that Sempra Energy and the Sempra Energy Foundation are partnering with us for this important educational exhibit,” said Nigella Hillgarth, executive director of Birch Aquarium at Scripps. “The exhibit will focus on innovative ideas for cleaner, renewable sources of energy, providing useful information so that the public can make informed choices.” Hillgarth added, “We are honored to be the recipient of such a generous donation, which enables us to continue our outreach efforts and spread the message that clean energy is an essential pillar of sustainability.”

“Boundless Energy,” designed to complement the Aquarium’s award-winning exhibit on climate change, will present a collection of interactive outdoor exhibits and experiences showing how harnessing the power of the wind, sun and waves reduces dependence on fossil fuels and produces energy that is free of carbon dioxide and particulate emissions. More than two million visitors are expected to visit “Boundless Energy” during its five-year run.
“Our goal with this donation is to help provide crucial information about the many alternatives to fossil fuels, and to encourage visitors to the exhibit to explore ways to limit carbon-dioxide emissions,” said Debra L. Reed, chairwoman of the Sempra Energy Foundation.

The anticipated opening of the exhibit is July 2011. Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have been on the cutting edge of climate research for five decades, and the “Boundless Energy” exhibit presents an ideal educational complement to that research.
           
In addition to its support of Birch Aquarium at Scripps through the Sempra Energy Foundation, Sempra Energy is a Visionary Sponsor of UC San Diego’s 50th Anniversary celebration. 

Media Contact:
Kim Wenrick, 858-534-4132, kwenrick@ucsd.edu
Judy Piercey, 858-534-6128, jpiercey@ucsd.edu