Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events

November 2022

We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in November and help protect our local waterways! All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

• Cleanup Events
• Landscape & Gardening Events
• Waste Reduction Events
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention & Education

Cleanup Events

I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) Community Cleanups – The following in-person cleanup events are being offered in November to divert litter from their respective watersheds and local communities.

• November 5, 10am to 12pm – Watershed Warriors: Bonsall Community Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 10 am and then collect trash from around the Bonsall community to divert litter from the San Luis Rey watershed. Offered in partnership with Flaherty’s Charities and the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.

• November 10, 3pm to 5pm – Sunset Sweep: San Ysidro Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 3 pm and then get out there to beautify the San Ysidro neighborhood. Offered in partnership with San Ysidro Community Park Senior Center and Think Blue San Diego. Learn more or register.
• November 12, 9am to 11am – Watershed Warriors: Fallbrook Community Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 9 am and then collect trash from around the Fallbrook community to divert litter from the San Luis Rey watershed. Offered in partnership with Fallbrook Beautification Alliance and the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.

• November 17, 3pm to 5pm – Sunset Sweep: Paradise Canyon Community Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 3 pm and then get out there to beautify the Paradise Canyon neighborhood and divert trash from the San Diego Bay watershed. Offered in partnership with Paradise Gardens and Think Blue San Diego. Learn more or register.

• November 19, 9am to 11am – Watershed Warriors: San Dieguito Community Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 9 am and then collect trash from around the San Dieguito community to divert litter from the San Dieguito watershed. Offered in partnership with San Dieguito County Park and the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.

San Diego Canyonlands Cleanup and Restoration Volunteer Events – Join San Diego Canyonlands and various communities in their local habitat restoration and cleanup efforts during the month of November. The work at each event varies but can include planting/caring for native plants, removing invasive plants, and removing trash and debris from restoration areas.

• November 5, 8am to 10:30am – Swan Canyon Event. Learn more or register

• November 12, 8am to 10:30am – Manzanita Canyon Event. Learn more or sign up.

• November 19, 8am to 10:30am – 47^th Street/Olivia Canyon Event. Learn more or sign up.

San Diego River Park Foundation – The following river cleanup, field assessment, and water quality monitoring events are being offered throughout the month of November. Sign up for events as individuals or as a group.

• Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – River Assessment Field Teams (RAFT) – On Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the month, the RAFT will walk different segments of the San Diego River to identify issues affecting the river, such as trash, debris, and illegal dumping. Learn more or sign up.

• Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9am to 12pm – River Rescue Cleanups – On Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month, come out and assist the core volunteer group with river cleanups. Locations change weekly and will be emailed to you the Wednesday prior to the Saturday cleanup events, and on Friday prior to the Wednesday cleanup events. Learn more or sign up.

• Thursdays, 8am to 10am – Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) Cleanups – On Thursdays throughout the month, help the E.C.O. care for the site of the future River Center at Grant Park by trimming vegetation, removing graffiti, and picking up trash. Learn more or sign up for the cleanups on November 3^rd, November 10^th, and November 17^th.

• November 5, 9am to 12pm – The Great River Cleanup – This cleanup is a "kick-off" to the wet season in an effort to get the river as clean as possible before the river really starts to flow. This year, the cleanup will focus on Mission Valley and the Western 9. Exact meeting location is to be determined. Learn more or sign up.

• November 13 and 27, 9am to 11am – River Garden Club Cleanup – Help San Diego River Park Foundation staff or volunteers beautify the Point Loma Native Plant Garden and River Mouth at the river estuary. Cleanups take place every 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of the month. Activities include watering, planting, pruning, weeding, path maintenance, and more! Learn more or sign up for the cleanups on November 13^th, and November 27^th.

• November 10, 9am to 12pm – El Capitan Invasive Tree Removal – Help remove 2.5 acres of non-native invasive species of tamarisk and arundo from the San Diego Watershed along the El Capitan Reservoir. Learn more or sign up.

• November 16, 8am to 12pm – Preserve Steward Day – Join Preserve Stewards in caring for the open space land of the headwaters of the San Diego River by maintaining trails, caring for oak trees, removing invasive non-native plants, caring for native plants, repairing fences, and installing irrigation. Learn more or sign up.

Surfrider/Coastkeeper San Diego Beach and Neighborhood Cleanups – Join the San Diego chapters of the Surfrider Foundation and Coastkeeper in their ongoing beach and neighborhood cleanups. Meet at the designated locations below and look for the blue Surfrider or Coastkeeper tent.

• November 5, 9am to 11am – Ocean Beach Cleanup (Surfrider) – Help with a beach and street cleanup at Ocean Beach Pier. Meet at Ocean Beach Veterans’ Plaza. Learn more or register.

• November 19, 9am to 11am – Moonlight State Beach Cleanup (Surfrider) – Help with a beach and street cleanup at Moonlight Beach. Meet next to the restrooms. Learn more or register. 

• November 19, 9am to 11am – Imperial Beach (Surfrider) – Help with a beach and street cleanup in Imperial Beach. Meet on the sand behind The Spirit of Imperial Beach Statue in Imperial Beach. Learn more or register.

• Ongoing – Solo Cleanups (Surfrider) – Participate in safe, physically distant ‘solo’ cleanups on your own – at the beach, in your neighborhood, at your local park, or anywhere in your watershed. Learn more about solo cleanup guidelines, how to tally your trash cleanup activity, and how you can make a difference in preventing trash from reaching the beach in the first place.

• Six Cleanup Challenge, Flexible Dates/Times (Coastkeeper) – Form a group and participate in the Six Cleanup Challenge to positively impact communities and outdoor spaces up and down the watershed. Pick up trash from two challenge sites in three categories: coastal, inland, and urban. Receive a certificate of completion and appreciation packet as a prize. Learn more and see list of challenge sites. 

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve – Friday Stewardship Sessions – November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 9am to 12pm – Join stewardship volunteers on Fridays in November in caring for the resources of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve by establishing, restoring, and maintaining the native plant gardens and habitat, removing graffiti and litter, and helping to clean up the beaches. Learn more or register for the November 4^th, 11^th, 18^th, and 25^th events.

Preserve Calavera Restoration Events – Join Preserve Calavera to help with their November restoration events to improve the conditions of local watersheds. Help remove invasive species and/or plant native plants and seeds.

• November 12, 9am to 10:30am – Rancho La Costa Preserve, Carlsbad. Learn more.
• November 19, 9am to 10:30am – El Corazon, Oceanside. Learn more.
• November 26, 9am to 10:30am – Rancho La Costa Preserve, Carlsbad. Learn more.

Landscape & Gardening Events

WaterSmart Residential Landscape and Irrigation Webinars and Workshops – The San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Program is providing landscaper training (in Spanish) during the month of November as well as past recordings of its 3-hour Landscape Workshops and the option to apply for the waitlist for the 4-hour Landscape Makeover Workshops. Most events are offered online unless otherwise noted. These workshops are sponsored in part by Member Agencies and the County of San Diego.

• WaterSmart 3-Hour Landscape Online Workshops Past Recordings – Participate in free online workshops taught by a local landscape design professional with a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. View past workshops.

• WaterSmart 4-Class Landscape Makeover Series – The WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series is a free educational program that helps you gather the skills needed to transform your high-water-use lawn into a beautiful, sustainable landscape. Learn more and apply for waitlist.

• Martes, Nov. 29, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023, 1, 6pm to 8pm – Capacitación certificada para paisajistas calificados con uso eficiente del agua (QWEL): desde suelos hasta presupuestos de agua, auditorías y programación de controladores, aprenderá la ciencia y los principios de los paisajes con uso eficiente del agua a través de la certificación de capacitación QWEL. Este curso gratuito se distribuye durante un período de siete semanas en convenientes seminarios web en vivo semanales de dos horas. Los exámenes de certificación opcionales están disponibles en persona o en línea. Los exámenes presenciales son GRATIS. Se aplica una tarifa de supervisión de examen de $30 a los exámenes en línea. Obtenga más información o regístrese.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Water Wise Gardening Webinar – November 8, 10am to 11am – Valley Center – Learn the basics of water wise gardening including climate-appropriate planting, using mulch and compost to conserve water, managing irrigation efficiently, and soil types and gardening styles. Funded by the County of San Diego Recycling in partnership with the Dos Valles Garden Club. Learn more or register.

Master Gardener Association of San Diego Ask a Master Gardener – Farm & Nursery Expo – Escondido – November 10, 9am to 3pm – Bring all your gardening questions to be answered by a UCCE certified Master Gardener. They will be there to help with planting, watering, pest control, and virtually anything garden related. Sponsored by San Diego Farm Bureau. Learn more.

San Diego Audubon Habitat Restoration Events – The following work parties will be offered during the month of November. The focus will be to help restore coastal dune habitat by removing invasive plants, replanting native plants, and conducting other land management activities.

• November 5, 9am to 12pm – Native Planting Party at Sweetwater Park – Join San Diego Audubon in restoring habitat for birds and other local wildlife, removing invasive weeds, and planting native plants. Learn more or RSVP.
• November 12, 9am to 12pm – Friends of Famosa Slough Work Party – Join Friends of Famosa Slough and help restore this local wetland by removing invasive plants, maintaining trails, and picking up trash. Learn more.
• November 12, 9am to 11am – Rose Creek Native Plant Garden Work Party – Join the Friends of Rose Creek to work on The Nature School’s native plant interpretive garden behind Rose Creek Cottage in Pacific Beach. Help weed, water, remove trash and invasive plants, and plant native species. This is an easy one-to-two-hour project and great for children of all ages. Learn more or RSVP.
• November 19, 9am to 12pm – Native Planting Party at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge – Join San Diego Audubon in restoring habitat for birds and other local wildlife, removing invasive weeds, and planting native plants. Learn more or RSVP.
• November 26, 9am to 11am – Wander the Wetlands and Restoration Work Party – Wander the Wetlands at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve and help build Ridgway's rail nesting platforms, tackle invasive species, plant natives, rabbit-proof the restoration area, and more. Offered in partnership with UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Audubon Society. Learn more.

University of California (UC) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – The UC IPM is offering the following webinars during the month of November.

• November 29, 9am to 12pm (ENGLISH); November 30, 9am to 12pm (SPANISH) – Pesticide Safety Zoom Workshop, Train-the-Trainer Refresher (fee $300) – This workshop provides a review of the required annual training topics for fieldworkers and handlers. Learn more or register.

• November 17, 12pm to 1pm – Urban and Community IPM Webinar – Using Disinfectants and Wipes Safely – Learn how to safely use disinfectants around the home, school, office, or anywhere else they are used. Presentation will be given by Amy Cross of the National Pesticide Information Center. Learn more or register.

San Diego Botanic Garden Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, time ranges 10am to 12pm – Children are invited to join for Science, Art, and Play in Garden Spaces (SAPLinGS) activities. Each month the focus will be on a different plant or nature-based theme. Science activities engage kids with cool science and hands-on learning that stimulates curiosity. Art activities focus on projects that spark the imagination. Scroll to November calendar for specific SAPLinGS dates of interest and to learn more.

The Water Conservation Garden – The following garden events will be offered in November.

• November 16, 9:30am to 10:30am – Lil’ Sprouts Storytime with Ms. Smarty-Plants – Join Ms. Smarty-Plants™ on the 3^rd Wednesday of every month for a featured story followed by a nature craft. Storytime is free with Garden Admission. Registration will close on Friday, November 11^th. Learn more or register.
• Wednesdays in November, 3pm or 4pm – Landscape Design On-Line Consultation, Fall 2022 ($$fees vary) – Receive helpful advice from professional landscape designers and architects on how to make changes to your landscape, incorporate water-wise plants and materials, qualify for a rebate, or obtain guidance for installing a new water efficient landscape. Offered in 45-minute timeslots beginning at 3pm or 4pm. Learn more or register.
• November 5, 10am to 2pm – Fall Garden Festival (entry fees vary, but may be waived*) – Attend the festival for fall plant sales, landscape workshops and consultations, tours, local merchants, and first ever Photo Contest. *Pre-register for workshops and get free event entry. Below are some of the key water-savings and sustainability workshops being offered below for free event entry. Learn more and pre-register for on-site workshops and consultations.
  • 10:15am and 1pm – Harvesting Water in Healthy Soil – Learn ways to capture water in your landscape, including techniques and strategies that can be used on any scale to modify land contour, plant sustainably, and harvest water. Learn more or pre-register.
  • 11am – Sustainable Landscapes Tour – Take a tour of water wise gardening exhibits with Horticulturist Paul Redeker and receive helpful tips and inspiration on how to implement beautiful and fun water saving techniques in your landscape. Learn more or pre-register.
  • 12pm to 12:45pm – Solutions for Hillsides & Erosion – Learn about tips and sustainable ideas for your slope or hillside including plant choices, earthworks, and even wattles. Learn more or pre-register. Learn more or pre-register.

Landscape and Water-Savings Webinars – A series of landscape and water-savings webinars are being offered throughout the month of November. Dates and times vary. Hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register.

• Rainwater Capture Advanced Discussion – Learn the importance of capturing the ‘first flush’ to improve stream flow, groundwater sources, Green Water Zone, and reduce pollution in waterways. Topics include proper grading in urban areas, hillside rainwater capture, and the role of cisterns. Hosted in partnership with Southern California Gas Company.
• California-Friendly Native Plant Webinar – Learn how to design a yard using the four principles of gorgeous and watershed-wise landscaping including building healthy soil, capturing rainfall, selecting native plants that minimize water use, and controlling irrigation.
• Garden Design Workshop – Learn how to identify critical steps for successfully designing a watershed-wise landscape including developing a successful planting plan, developing a palette of climate-appropriate plants, and sizing and siting the rainwater capture area.
• Turf: Remove, Replace, or Maintain Organically (ENGLISH and SPANISH) – Learn how to design your yard using principles of watershed-wise landscaping including removing your lawn without chemicals, building healthy soil, and selecting climate-appropriate and water-wise plants.
• Goodbye Grass: Qualify for a Turf Replacement Rebate – Learn about replacing your lawn with a watershed-wise landscape, including removing turf without the use of chemicals, replacing it with climate-appropriate plantings, and how to apply for a turf replacement rebate.

Waste Reduction Events

Recycle food scraps to divert organic waste from landfills

I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) Waste Reduction Events – The following waste reduction events are being offered in November.

• November 3, 5pm to 6pm – Organics Recycling Webinar – From the Black Bin to the Green Bin! – Learn ways to reduce food waste and how to recycle right in the kitchen including tips on meal prepping, food storage, low-waste cooking, and how to properly dispose of food waste through the County’s new curbside organics recycling program. Offered in partnership with the County of San Diego Recycling. Learn more or register.
• November 5, 10am to 2pm – San Diego County Used Oil & Oil Filter Recycling Event – Recycle your used oil and filters at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts during the month of November. Locations include Fallbrook, Ramona, Lakeside, and Spring Valley. Offered in partnership with I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego. Funded by CalRecycle. Learn more.
• November 9, 5pm to 6pm – Save Your Scraps Webinar – Learn ways to reduce food waste and how to recycle right in the kitchen including tips on meal prepping, food storage, low-waste cooking, and how to properly dispose of food waste through the City of Vista’s new curbside organics recycling program. Offered in partnership with the City of Vista. Learn more or register.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business online and in-person events are being offered in November.

• October 3^rd, 2022, through April 3^rd, 2023, Select Mondays (on Zoom) and Select Tuesdays (in-person), 6pm to 8pm/8:30pm – “All We Can Save” Sustainability Circle, In-Person or Virtual Dialog ($50 fee plus book) – Participate in ten sessions (either on Mondays or Tuesdays) for deeper dialog around climate crisis and building community around solutions. Dialog based on anthology of writings by 60 women at the forefront of the climate movement. Must commit to attending at least eight of the ten sessions. Learn more or register.
• Noviembre 2, 2022 6:00 to 7:00 pm – Fundamentos del compostaje con lombrices – Cuidad de San Diego– Aprenda en este seminario web, los pasos básicos del vermicompostaje (compostaje con lombrices). Siguiendo las demostraciones y consejos probados de nuestros educadores, le enseñaran todo lo necesario para empezar con un contenedor de lombrices adecuado a sus necesidades y estilo de vida. Hecho posible gracias a la financiación generosa de Servicios Ambientales de la Ciudad de San Diego. Regístrarse para recibir más detalles.
• November 5, 10am to 11:30am – Smart Ways to Fight Food Waste Webinar – City of San Diego – Learn practical solutions to reducing food waste in your home, and how to incorporate these practices into your daily life. Site Scripps Miramar Ranch Branch library. Space is limited and registration is required. Sponsored by the City of San Diego Environmental Services. Learn more or register.
• November 10, 6pm to 7pm – Backyard Composting Basics Webinar – City of Encinitas – Learn the basics of traditional backyard composting including importance and benefits of composting, composting bin options, tools and materials, and how to build a compost pile. Funded by the City of Encinitas. Learn more or register.
• November 12, 10am to 12pm – All About Worms Workshop – 4S Ranch – Learn about the benefits of vermicomposting (composting with worms) and turning food waste into nutrient-rich castings for your garden. Topics include appropriate tools and materials, steps to start a vermicompost bin, how to feed your worms and which foods are suitable, troubleshooting and maintaining your worm bin, and harvesting and using finished castings. Funded by the County of San Diego Recycling. Learn more or register.
• November 14, 6pm to 7pm – “Shoo, Fly, Shoo!” Pest Control for Livestock Owners Webinar – County of San Diego – Learn strategies for combating pesky flies around livestock using a variety of techniques, with a focus on the important role of manure management. Learn more or register.
• November 16, 6pm to 7pm – Midscale Composting with Windrows Webinar – County of San Diego – Learn how to protect your local watershed and produce a fantastic soil amendment using windrow composting. Includes benefits of composting, basics of windrow composting, manure management for large livestock ranches, and permit considerations. Offered in partnership with San Diego Country Estates. Learn more or register.
• November 16 – Free E-Business Waste Pickup – A free e-waste pick-up service is being offered to businesses in San Diego County. Register by the second Friday (November 11) of the month for the following Wednesday pickup. Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.

City of San Diego Environmental Services One-Day Collection Events – November 19, 9am to 1pm – A one-day household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event will be held at Balboa Park, Lower Inspiration parking lot. Learn more.

The Living Coastal Discovery Center – The following events are being offered in November:

• On-Site and Virtual Compost Workshops – Learn the basics on how to start your own compost pile and turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil. Learn more or register. Pre-recorded video compost workshops also available. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista.
  • Every Sunday in November, 2pm to 3pm – On-site workshop free with admission.
  • November 6, 2pm to 3pm – Virtual workshop. Chula Vista residents can purchase a Soil Saver compost bin for $35 after attending virtual workshop.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention & Education

Center for Watershed Protection – The following events are being offered in November.

• November 16, 10am to 11:30am Pacific Time – 2022 Webcast Series: Webcast 9 – Behavior Change for Watershed & Stormwater Management ($$ fees vary) – In this webinar learn how to improve your outreach and communication efforts to encourage pro-environmental behavior. A series of tested experiments on behavioral interventions on water conservation, waste reduction, and climate change mitigation will be used to provide new insights on how to impact behavior change. Learn more or register.
• November 10-11, 9am to 5pm ET – The 2022 Coastal & Island Symposium – Mitigation and Adaptation to Environmental Changes in Coastal & Island Communities – Fulton, Maryland ($$ fees vary) – This symposium is designed for practitioners to learn more about the challenges of coastal & island environments and share the tools, stories, challenges they face as practitioners in the coastal and island environment. Participants will hear from other experts around the country on watershed and stormwater issues while connecting with experts in the field. Learn more or register.

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Watershed Protection Website
sandiegocounty.gov/stormwater

Learn more about available water quality rebates that you could apply to your property!

Project Clean Water efforts are focused on providing a centralized point of access to water quality information and resources for San Diego County Watersheds. Click HERE to visit Project Clean Water’s website.