Our impact

Karleigh is a long-time member who enjoys visiting the Discovery Campus with her children. When she first joined, she was new to the area and found the Campus on a whim and decided to enroll in an educational program. There, she met another member whose kid was the same age as Karleigh’s daughter and the two became fast friends. Because of their shared love of the outdoors and fostering community, the two became regulars together every morning. Sharing their mornings with their kids and warm cups of coffee, surrounded by a community they built at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. 

Denise is a recent member who was tasked with planning a party for a large family from all different states that was to be hosted at the Discovery Campus. Through the rental process, she became a member and worked closely with the Agua Team. After much back and forth, two date changes and a whole lot of playing telephone, the party came together and they had a lovely time. Because of the warmth she felt during every phase of planning, Denise fell in love with the lagoon and has been attending every members night since.   

Erik is a volunteer who started coming to the discovery campus to work on filling a volunteer hour-quota. He began his journey with Agua out of a love for nature and as time went on, he began to feel more and more empowered by, not just the messages, but the actions taken by the foundation and its supporters. Moved by the efforts he saw, he changed his own daily habits such as recycling his trash, sorting out reusable plastics, eating more locally-and ethically grown food and more! After living the message of excellent environmental education, Erik became a member as a way to give back to the community that first gave into him. 

Jane was a first-time visitor to the Discovery Campus early in the year. She had found out about the foundation from browsing online and wanted to take her neurodivergent son to see the animals as he had a heart for nature. They were shocked to find not only animals ready and eager to meet them but that there were accommodations already in place for neurodivergent families in order to help them foster. They became members that same day and have been enjoying the community so close to home that welcomes and empowers her and her son. 

Kayla joined as a guest with her close friend for members night on a whim. She had never seen the campus before but was eager to enjoy all it had to offer. During the members night, her son was enthralled by the one-on-one interactions with the reptiles, getting to play with his friend in the evening and Kayla couldn’t have been more excited for him. They joined as members that evening and haven’t missed a member’s night since! 

"On Sunday, Jeff and I spent about 4 ½ hours at the DC with Lowen and one of my best friends granddaughter, Lily Threadgill.  They had the BEST time, and I wanted to tell you how fabulous your staff was. The blonde gal working the front desk was so warm and friendly and went out of her way to make us feel special.  The young man working at the chicken coop was so darned cute.  He invited us to go inside and spend time with the chicks, made sure Lily was comfortable and chatted Jeff and I up.  Lowen was too scared to do that but Lily didn’t want to leave.  She LOVED IT! And we finally got Lowen to go in with the adult chickens so that was cool. "

Patty Johnson