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Dear Elia Verduzco Sr. Community Relations Specialist Orange County Transportation Authority, On behalf of the Board of Directors of Newport Bay Conservancy, I am writing to respectfully request Orange County Transportation Authority's partnership and support for our upcoming community outreach event, Earth Day at the Bay, taking place on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Newport Bay Conservancy, in collaboration with Orange County Parks, Santa Ana Unified School District, and Newport-Mesa Unified School District, seeks to designate OCTA as a community partner to help support and facilitate free public transportation for a community shuttle serving this event. The purpose of this partnership is to expand access and equity for students, families, and community members by providing reliable, no-cost transportation to Earth Day at the Bay, at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. The shuttle would enable participants from multiple communities to attend this free, family-friendly celebration focused on environmental education, community connection, and stewardship of our local natural resources. Earth Day at the Bay will feature environmental-themed exhibits presented by community organizations and local artists. Event booths will include hands-on arts and crafts, science discovery activities, educational information, live music, a family scavenger hunt, and food trucks. We are proposing a shuttle route that highlights the shared connection our communities have to Upper Newport Bay. The route would begin in Santa Ana and follow Flower Street along the Delhi Channel, which connects to and flows directly into the Back Bay. This route is intended to visually and educationally demonstrate the relationship between our neighborhoods, local waterways, and the Bay itself. Our goal is not only to provide transportation for this year's event but also to build a meaningful partnership that promotes environmental awareness, community engagement, and sustainable access to public spaces. We hope this collaboration can become an annual Earth Day tradition that continues to serve diverse communities throughout Orange County. We would be honored to partner with the Orange County Transportation Authority in making this effort possible and to offer a booth at Earth Day that highlights OCTA's mission of providing sustainable, reliable transportation for our communities. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to strengthening community connections and expanding public access throughout our region. Sincerely,