Environment

We provide funding for programs that promote sustainability and the advancement of new environmental and energy technologies; infrastructure development and improvement in the area of sustainable, green technologies; and programs that promote environmental stewardship in the areas of conservation, habitat restoration and energy efficiency.

 Here are some examples of recent successful programs and partnerships:

Environmental Champions Awards

In 2010, the Sempra Energy Foundation announced its second Environmental Champions Awards initiative. As part of this program, $1 million dollars in grants were awarded to 50 Southwest and Gulf Region non-profit organizations for their environmental education programs for grades K-12. Some of the winners include: Alabama Coastal Foundation, Anza Borrego Foundation, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Earth Discovery Institute, Friends of the Los Angeles River, Heal the Bay, Project Wildlife, San Bernardino National Forest Association, San Diego County Outdoor Education Association, San Diego River Park Foundation, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, The Ecology Center, and many more. For more information on the Environmental Champions Awards and the 2010 recipients, click here.

In 2009 the inaugural year of the Environmental Champions Awards, $1 million dollars in grants were awarded to 30 Southern and Central California non-profit organizations that focus on natural resource protection and conservation, environmental education and environmental health and safety.

Palos Verdes Land Conservancy

The Sempra Energy Foundation funded the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy's Third Grade Naturalist Education Program as part of the Environmental Champions Awards. This interactive program takes students through ecology lessons exploring the local flora and fauna, geology and history of the area.

San Diego Coastkeeper

A grant from the Sempra Energy Foundation underwrites funding for Project Swell. This program includes hands-on environmental science education lessons which foster a sense of environmental stewardship among children. Lessons include local water quality and pollution prevention which will inspire and equip students to protect their local environment.

The Children's Museum of Lake Charles, Inc.

The Sempra Energy Foundation funded the Interactive Wetlands Discovery Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Lake Charles (in Louisiana). This exhibit is designed to raise awareness and educate children and their families about their environmental surroundings. Topics in the exhibit include: coastal wetlands, crabbing, shrimping, hurricanes, wildlife identification, etc.

Coastal Clean Up

California Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event coordinated by the San Diego Coastkeeper and I Love A Clean San Diego. In 2010, the Sempra Energy Foundation participated as a sponsor of the 26th annual event which is San Diego County’s largest volunteer event for people of all ages.

In 2010, a total of 1,200 employees, friends and family of the Sempra Energy family of companies volunteered for Coastal Cleanup at five sites. During the event, 50 tons of trash and debris from beaches, bays, urban areas and open spaces was removed.