News & Blog Posts

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!

We like to think the sun came out especially for Sunday, as over 85 people gathered to share their love of all things birds. The morning started with a leisurely walk around the Discovery Center trail, led by birders Rick Grove and Bobby Brett . Spotting native birds in their element, with the beautiful Agua Hedionda lagoon serving as a scenic backdrop, was the perfect way to kick off the day!

DIVISION I ~ THE BIG KAHUNA

View a snapshot of our oyster wattle production and the importance of sustainable partnerships.

Read about us on The Lancer Link. https://thelancerlink.com/lifestyles/around-town/2024/03/01/agua-hedionda-lagoon-foundation-fosters-sustainable-future/

Read about us in Spectrum News! http://specne.ws/MkgN3x

The energy at Mingle with Members ~ Casino Edition was electrifying, and we are overflowing with gratitude for your enthusiastic presence and unwavering support throughout the evening. With over 80 attendees eager to mingle, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement from the moment the doors opened. Blackjack and Bingo stole the show, with many of you diving into the games and even enjoying a bit of AHLF-themed trivia during Bingo sessions. A huge round of applause to our 6 opportunity-drawing winners, who walked away with fantastic prizes, from AHLF Swag to a private Limoncello tasting for 6. Clearly, luck was on your side! We're thrilled to announce that we welcomed 23 new members from Friday to Sunday, bringing us even closer to our goal of 1,000 Members by July of 2024 . Your enthusiasm for AHLF is truly inspiring! None of this would have been possible without the mouthwatering delights crafted by Mexico City Cuisine and BuckBoard Catering . Their delectable dishes fueled us for a night of winning and mingling, and we're grateful for their culinary mastery. And let's raise a toast to our drink sponsors— Venom Vodka, The Pure Project, Athletic Brewing, and Pegasus Estate Wine . Your libations added an extra layer of enjoyment to the festivities, and we appreciate your support in making the night unforgettable. Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to our incredible team. Events like this are a testament to your dedication and hard work, and we're grateful for all you do to support our members and the lagoon. Event Organizer: Erin Hardin, Director of Community Relations Bingo Announcer: Samantha Passovoy (Discovery Center Director) Blackjack Manager: Emily Bonds (Director of Education) Check-in: Samantha Richter (COO) and Taylor Sais (Board of Directors) Poker Manager: Lisa Rodman (CEO & President) and Samantha Richter (COO) Member Sign-Up & BlackJack Turn-in: Aaron Weiss (Assistant Manager of the Discovery Center) and Carly Clavier (Volunteer Coordinator) Bar: Larissa Hepburn (Director of Trails & Conservation) Parking and Facilities: Al Cerda (Facilities and Trails Manager) Decor: Lissa Schroeder (Educational Coordinator) and Grant Thompson (Educational Coordinator) Pre-Event Registration: Harini Natarajan (Data Entry Specialist) Volunteers: Denae, Rhonda, Marybeth, Ricki, Chet, Terrell, Leslie, and Anne

A special shoutout to all 36 players who showcased their poker prowess! The 4-hour tournament was a riot of laughter, cheering, and high fives. We had to shut the doors not just to allow our poker players to focus but also to contain the uproarious cheers and laughter emanating from the room. Massive gratitude to our four table sponsors— Carlsbad Strawberry Company, California Watersports , The Inspectors of Election , and Mario Cuneo. Your support brought life to these vibrant tables, and we couldn't have done it without you. Let's hear it for our winners! Your poker face rivals Lady Gaga's, and you proved it on the felt. First Place: Glen Frick , who walks away with a one-week stay at ANY Grand Pacific Resort location & a bottle of Venom Vodka. Second Place: Glynn Shaw Jr , securing a Heron’s House Wine Experience with AHLF’s CEO & 5 friends. Third Place: Kevin Shin , winning 2 tickets to the 2024 Discovery Gala ~ Lagoon's Eleven. Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this exhilarating event. Your participation made it an unforgettable night of fun and friendly competition! If you did not win, get your practice in because you will have an opportunity to win big again during our 2024 Discovery Gala ~ Lagoon’s Eleven on August 24th at the Westin Resort.

👻 8,918 Guests Spooked 🎃 Over the month-long festivities, 431 amazing volunteers signed up to decorate and scare, working 3-hour shifts. Every night, an average of 12 active-duty military members joined the fun, haunting guests with their spooky skills. 🪖👻 The busiest weekend was 10/20 and 10/21, with 2,618 guests braving the maze! 🌽👀 Thanks to all the ghouls and goblins, we grossed $95,040, which will go towards our equitable environmental educational programs and public access to trails and outdoor spaces. 🌍✨