Feeling the Heat Exhibit, Birch Aquarium photo: 2007 Padgett and Company
Birch Aquarium Meets its Match
$750,000 Gift Heats Up Climate Change Exhibit
Climate Challenge, meet the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Challenge.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego,
has been awarded a challenge grant of $750,000 from the Conrad N.
Hilton Foundation to support its multifaceted climate change exhibit
and educational program, Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge.
The first installment of the matching grant, to be paid over two
years, has already been received and the heat is on for the aquarium
to raise the remaining $375,000 to realize the total grant. Once
raised, funds from the challenge will pay for the $1.5-million
exhibit and its effort to communicate the issues surrounding global
climate.
"Scripps scientists have been at the forefront of studying climate
change for more than five decades and this is a research-based
project that will help hundreds of thousands of people learn about
these critical issues," said Steven M. Hilton, President and CEO of
the Hilton Foundation. "The Hilton Foundation is pleased to partner
with UCSD, Scripps Oceanography, and Birch Aquarium on this
endeavor."
"As the public center for Scripps Oceanography, it is our
responsibility to provide visitors the opportunity to learn about
climate change," said Nigella Hillgarth, executive director of
Birch Aquarium at Scripps. "The generous donation from the Conrad N.
Hilton Foundation will enable us to continue this important effort
and expand our outreach."
Scripps scientists have been on the cutting edge of climate research
for half a century. Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge, which
opened in May 2007 and was dedicated during a visit by former Vice
President Al Gore, is the first exhibit of its kind in San Diego
County. It presents the science of global warming, highlights
Scripps's half-century commitment to studying climate change, and
educates visitors on current environmental changes and those
projected for the future. The exhibit was also recently awarded the
Silver prize in museum design from the Connecticut-based Event
Design magazine, which recognizes the best designs worldwide across
events, exhibits, and environments.
For information about Birch Aquarium at Scripps or to find out how
you can support the climate change exhibit, visit http://aquarium.ucsd.edu or call 858-534-8490.
—Shannon Casey
