On the night of December 6^th, friends and families filled the Dunes Center for Trees of the Season, an end of the year event to raise funds for the following year’s nature education programs. Generous supporters sponsored twenty four beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, accompanied with presents donated by businesses from around the Central Coast. Guests enjoyed bacon wrapped shrimp, taquitos, and other delicious treats that were donated by local restaurants.

Throughout the evening, people came to buy tickets and view the trees. The most popular tree was the “Wine Lover’s Tree,” which included seventeen bottles of wine donated by wineries from all around the area. At the end of the night, excitement filled the air as two four year old boys, Izaiah and Anthony, pulled tickets for each tree. A variety of ticket buyers won trees and wreaths, including new members, neighbors, volunteers, children, and community members.

This year’s Trees of the Season was one of the most successful in the Dunes Center’s history with the highest ticket sales to date. The success of the event is attributed to the incredible amount of support from the Central Coast community. The Dunes Center, as well as the 7000 students served by the nature education programs each year, are extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunities that this support provides. With the backing of the community, the Dunes Center and it’s programming will continue to thrive.

Below are the three most popular trees at this years Trees of the Season.

A Wine Lover's Christmas sponsored by Mike Multari and Denise Fourie and donations from Tangent/Baileyanna Winery, Chamisal Vineyards, Claiborne and Churchill Winery, Kelsey Vineyards, Riverbench Vineyards and Kenneth Volk Vineyards.

A Lindt Chocolate Unwrapped sponsored by Stephanie and Ana Torres

A Central Coast Christmas sponsored by Rabobank and Jocko's Steakhouse, Mama Ganache Chocolate, Cowboy Cookie, Paso Almonds, Robbins Family Farm, Old Village Grill and the Luffa Farm