Why I Give...

Preserving Magnificent Places

In the mid-1990s, Dr. George Sardina traveled through a beautiful section of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® by County Road S2 and San Felipe. He thought to himself, “Such a magnificent place should be preserved.” After inquiring, he learned of Anza-Borrego Foundation’s efforts to acquire and preserve the Park and said, “If this is the kind of work the organization is doing, I want to be a part of it!” Well over a decade later, Dr. George Sardina is still a significant part of the work of Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute as a faithful annual donor and volunteer member of the Acquisitions Committee.

Dr. Sardina has enjoyed ABDSP for more than 40 years and feels that, “After having seen most desert ranges of the world, Anza-Borrego ranks among the best for desert scenery.” And this is a man who knows and appreciates the world. An internist and family medicine practitioner by trade, Dr. Sardina spends his volunteer time traveling the world serving the environment and other people. He has stayed involved with ABFI because he “is interested in seeing the goals of the organization completed in order to make this an even better Park.” He feels “fortunate to work with great, bright people” and enjoys being “successful in protecting the Park and improving it for all to enjoy.” Restoration of native habitat within the Park is very important to Dr. Sardina and he hopes to one day see the return of antelope.

Understandably, Dr. Sardina is also involved with like-minded organizations, like The Nature Conservancy. And his volunteer work is not limited to conservation; he also has volunteered his medical expertise with international health organizations and serving migrant workers in northern California. In fact, he established The George Sardina, MD Innovation Prize for Scientific Achievement through the Sierra Club Foundation. Consistent with his passion, the prize honors the scientist who made the greatest contribution to understanding and protecting the environment of our planet. And for this small corner of the world, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® would not be the same without Dr. Sardina’s contributions.