Loews Restores Local Beach with Volunteer Vacation
Loews Coronado Bay Resort proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with the California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation to help preserve and maintain the Silver Strand State Beach, a rare and magnificent coastal habitat that is located just steps away from the resort.
Named after the tiny, silver seashells that line its white sands, the Silver Strand’s world-class ecosystem is home to a unique plant and animal population and provides an important environment for wildlife and wildlife watching. This coastal habitat once comprised millions of acres in Southern California. Today, only 10 percent of the State’s coastal wetlands remain.
To help protect this spectacular stretch of beach and bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort added a one-percent Environmental Fee to its guestroom rates. One-hundred percent of all funds collected are allocated to the California State Parks Foundation and made available to California State Parks to preserve the Silver Strand’s natural and cultural resources. Since its inception, Loews Coronado Bay Resort has donated more than $200,000 to the Foundation.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Loews Coronado Bay Resort, a hotel that really cares about the environment,” said Clay Phillips, superintendent of the Silver Strand State Beach. “This innovative partnership allows us to increase the public’s support for, and involvement in, protecting the significant habitat that exists here.”
The next phase of Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s partnership begins April 4, 2008, with a Volunteer Vacation package. The one-night stay will allow guests to get outdoors, explore and connect with the Silver Strand’s rare coastal habitat. Afterwards, volunteers will roll up their sleeves and participate in a hands-on restoration project. The overall goal is for guests to learn more about preserving and protecting our natural resources, and to give back to the beach they love.
“We’ve noticed that more and more of our guests want to give their vacation an important purpose by giving back to the community,” said Kathleen Cochran, general manager of Loews Coronado Bay Resort. “Our Volunteer Vacation gives guests the tools they need to make their vacation last a lifetime, and that’s by leaving their mark in the sand for years and years to come.”
Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Volunteer Vacation package includes:
• One-night stay in deluxe accommodations at Loews Coronado Bay Resort
• Fun and interactive tour of the Silver Strand’s fragile plants, animals, birds, mudflats and sand dunes with a State Park Environmental Educator
• A volunteer activity, including a coastal beach clean-up or restoration project, depending on the nesting season
• Up to two Loews Lunch Boxes to enjoy after the tour
The Volunteer Vacation package is available every Friday and Saturday and can be purchased at the Loews Best Rate by calling 619-424-4000 or 800-81-LOEWS. Tours and volunteer activities take place the following morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Volunteer Vacation package is based on availability and expires December 28, 2008. For more information on Loews Coronado Bay Resort or the Volunteer Vacation, please visit www.loewshotels.com.
“This partnership is a reflection of California State Parks’ commitment to building alliances that protect open spaces and parks,” said Ronilee Clark, District Superintendent for State Parks, San Diego region. “Through this agreement, public, private and non-profit organizations have come together to enhance preservation and enjoyment of the Silver Strand State Beach.”
