The Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program (CWCDP) has donated $30,000 to the Carpinteria Education Foundation (CEF), a gift that will fund the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) field trip for all fifth-grade students in the Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) for the upcoming school year.

Several people holding an oversize check for $30.000 stand in front of a colorful Carpinteria mural. (Courtesy photo)
Donation will pay for fifth-graders to participate in the Catalina Island Marine Institute field trip. (Courtesy photo)

The funding comes at a time of extensive budget cuts within the district, which had jeopardized the annual tradition, according to CEF.

The three-day, two-night field trip to Catalina Island provides students with a hands-on learning experience in marine biology and oceanography, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

“This donation from the Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program is a lifeline for our fifth-graders,” said Pamela Werner, CEF executive director. “The CIMI trip is more than just a field trip, it’s a transformative educational experience that many of our students wouldn’t be able to have otherwise.

“We are incredibly grateful to Chevron for their commitment to our community and to the future of our students.”

The donation reflects Chevron’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program, which is focused on safely and responsibly decommissioning offshore oil and gas facilities, recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and is proud to support an experience that instills a similar appreciation in young people, CWCDP said.

“We are honored to partner with the Carpinteria Education Foundation to ensure this valuable educational opportunity continues for CUSD students,” said Mark Korte-Nahabedian, corporate affairs advisor for the Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program.

“At Chevron, we strive to support the communities where we operate, and we hope this contribution inspires the next generation of environmental leaders and scientists.” he said.

The CIMI field trip has been a rite of passage for CUSD fifth-graders for decades, providing them with memorable lessons on marine life, conservation and teamwork. Thanks to this timely donation, the tradition will continue, CEF said.

The Carpinteria Education Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for all students in the Carpinteria Unified School District by providing funding for programs and resources beyond the scope of the regular school budget.

The Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program is responsible for the safe and responsible decommissioning of select offshore oil and gas facilities in the Central Coast and associated onshore facilities.