News & Blog Posts

On September 23rd, we gathered at the Discovery Campus to celebrate the people who make everything we do possible — our incredible volunteers! The Taco ’bout Great Volunteers appreciation event was our way of saying a heartfelt thank you to the long-term, dedicated individuals who have poured their time, passion, and care into the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (AHLF).

We are thrilled to announce a new sustainable edition to the Discovery Campus. In partnership with Plastic Beach , AHLF is determined to make an impact on the billions of single use soft plastics that end up in landfill each year. Since these types of plastics cannot be recycled in typical Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or Recycling Centers, Plastic Beach has worked to collect and properly dispose of over 50,000 pounds of plastic since its founding. 

Discovery Gala 2025 ~ Barbie’s Dream Lagoon truly felt like stepping into a pink-and-blue glitter world—overflowing with magic, cocktails, dancing, and dazzling games. The evening began with an intimate VIP Patron Party at the Water Tower, honoring our 2025 Hero on a Quest awardee: Carlsbad Educational Foundation . With live music by violinists Amanda Wirtz and Claire Braby and breathtaking ocean views, it was a sparkling kickoff to the night. Thank you to VIP Sponsor, Grand Pacific Resorts , for making this celebration possible! As cocktail hour began, the excitement grew. Guests—dressed in their best pinks and blues—were welcomed with live music from Whit Aadland at check-in and Gin N’ Tonix on the terrace. Along the way, they walked through a hallway tribute to our very own AHLF Barbies and Kens—the incredible individuals who bring the Dream Lagoon to life. Drinks flowed, “shell-fies” were snapped with Mermaid Barbie (Lavender Moon Goddess) and the sparkling Barbie & Ken backdrop… and then came the first surprise of the night: a flashmob performance by the AHLF team! A playful nod to the disco dance in the 2023 Barbie movie, it set the stage for an unforgettable four-course dinner. The Live Auction brought paddle battles for trips to Hawaii, Palm Springs, and more. Tears followed during the Impact Video , sharing our vision for Discovery Island —a classroom and exhibit space ensuring environmental education can thrive rain or shine. Watch the video » New this year, donors who gave $100 during Raise the Paddle were entered into a secret prize drawing featuring a stay at Omni La Costa, local dining gift cards, and diamond stud earrings. Congratulations to Tim Stripe , our lucky winner! We also honored our very own “Barbie and Ken”—Heather and Jimmy Ukegawa . Joined on stage by their son Jade, with daughter Mia delivering heartfelt remarks, the Ukegawa family was celebrated with proclamations from Mayor Keith Blackburn and county, state, and federal representatives—recognizing their unwavering dedication to community and environmental education. And of course… the catwalk! Our Barbies and Kens lit up the runway, showcasing opportunity drawing items with fabulous style. To close out the night, guests returned to the terrace where the Mojo Dojo Casa House (casino + horse race game) and Barbie’s Disco (DJ Barbie + glitter tattoos) kept the energy alive until the very end. A night of sparkle, joy, and purpose—thank you to everyone who made Discovery Gala 2025 ~ Barbie’s Dream Lagoon a dream come true! Photo Gallery Here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ic1xcFYDvOMPNFSC6tt0tgaSeMVAAFtN?usp=sharing Thank You Gala Sponsors Presenting Sponsor: NRG Energy VIP Patron Party Sponsor: Grand Pacific Resorts Program Sponsor: The Henry Valet Sponsor: BMW of Carlsbad Invite Sponsor: Vigilucci’s Restaurant Group Specialty Cocktail Sponsor: DUAL North America VIP Cocktail Sponsor: Hale & Associates Paddle Sponsor: The Silva Group (Lynnell Talone Honda) VIP Patron Party Invite Sponsor: RDQ Inc. Bar Sponsor: Pangea Biological and Withum Entertainment Table Sponsor: California Watersports, Cbar, Dudek, Inspectors of the Election

65 Participants Soar Through a Day of Feathered Fun and Learning

THE MINI KAHUNA

The weekend kicked off with an unexpected twist. Early Friday morning, staff arrived to discover a large section of spray-painted fencing at California Watersports’ beloved picnic area. But what could have been a setback turned into a shining example of community in action. Our team didn’t miss a beat—grabbing rags, acetone, and supplies to scrub the graffiti away. Volunteers jumped in without hesitation, tracking down materials and lending elbow grease to help restore the space, allowing California Watersports to keep doing what they do best. Moments like this highlight what Lagoona Kahuna is really about—rallying together, stepping up, and showing up for our neighbors. It’s not just a cleanup—it’s a movement.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, March 1st, to celebrate 35 years of Agua Hedionda! It was a day filled with joy, community, and, of course, ice cream—over 140 ice cream bars were enjoyed! By the end of the day, 202 guests had visited the Discovery Campus, making the celebration even more special. A huge thank you to the Miegs Family Foundation for bringing the classic Good Humor Truck filled with ice cream, Paul Dwork for providing guests with magical entertainment, and our dedicated staff and board members who joined us for a group photo, marking this milestone together. We’re grateful for this amazing community and look forward to many more years of Excellence in Environmental Education!

Come on Barbie, Let’s Go to Carlsbad Village!

To show our gratitude, we're dedicating an entire month to thank our over 1,000 members for their dedication to our Foundation and the environmental education of our community (young and young at heart). To do this we host several events throughout the month exclusive to members and their family. Columbia Sportswear Employee Store August 24th – September 18th With such an active community, we know how much 50%-60% off brand-new active clothing from top brands mean to you! That’s why we partnered with the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store to give members exclusive access to their private employee store in Carlsbad. Bonus: Columbia donated 10% of all sales made by AHLF members back to the Foundation! Adult Lecture Series ~ “Killer Algae” September 4th Over 15 members joined us for a compelling presentation by Carolyn Lieberman of California Fish & Wildlife on the fight against Algerian sea lavender, also known as "Killer Algae.” Members discovered how the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and its partners are tackling this urgent issue and learn how they can help protect our ecosystem. Thank you: Carolyn Lieberman

Over 150 guests joined us on Friday, August 16th to beat the heat and celebrate Kids Gala 2024! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, and sponsored—your support made this event a huge success!

We are THRILLED to announce that with the generous donation match from the Newell Family, we exceeded our fundraising goalbringing in $257,000!