Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events

June 2023

We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in June 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 June to divert litter from their respective watersheds and local communities.

• June 1, 3pm to 5pm – Sunset Sweep: Ruffin Canyon Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 3 pm and then collect trash from around the Ruffin Canyon to divert litter from the San Diego River. Offered in partnership with Think Blue San Diego. Learn more or register.
• June 3, 9am to 11am – Watershed Warriors: Casa De Oro Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 9 am and then collect trash from around the Casa De Oro community to divert litter from Sweetwater. Learn more or register.
• June 11, 10am to 12pm – World Ocean Day Cleanup at La Jolla Shores – Participate in a beach cleanup in honor of World Ocean Day at La Jolla Shores followed by various activities, information booths, music, and more at The Shops at La Jolla Village. Learn more or register.
• June 17, 9am to 11am – Watershed Warriors: Bonita Community Cleanup – Attend the kick-off at the cleanup site at 9 am and then collect trash from around the Bonita community to divert litter from Sweetwater. Site location Sweetwater Regional Park. Offered in partnership with the County of San Diego. 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.

• June 3, 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.
• June 3, 9am to 11am – Oceanside Pier Beach Cleanup (Surfrider) – Help with a beach and street cleanup at Oceanside Beach. Meet at the north side of the pier on the beach. Learn more or register.
• June 4, 9am to 11am – Watershed Walks – Chollas Lake Park (Coastkeeper) – Take a leisurely stroll through some of San Diego’s most beautiful and important spaces, all while learning about the importance of protecting our waterways and the many ways they impact our lives. Offered in partnership with Think Blue San Diego. Learn more or register.
• June 10, 9am to 11am – World Ocean Day Cleanup – La Jolla Shores (Coastkeeper) – Help with a beach cleanup at La Jolla Shores in honor of World Ocean Day. Meet on the lawn north of the main parking lot. Learn more or register.
• June 10, 9am to 11am – World Ocean Day Cleanup – South Mission Beach (Surfrider) – Help with a beach cleanup at South Mission Beach in honor of World Ocean Day. Meet near the restrooms by the lifeguard Tower. Learn more or register.
• June 17, 10am to 12pm – 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.
• June 17, 10am to 12pm – International Surfing Day – La Jolla Shores (Surfrider) – Help with a beach cleanup at La Jolla Shores. Meet on the grass at the north end of Kellogg Park. Learn more or register.
• June 24, 9am to 11am – Riverbed Cleanup and Restoration Event – Otay Valley Regional Park – Help cleanup and restore the riverbed by ridding the area of debris before it has the opportunity to make it out the ocean and removing invasive species from the riverbed and surrounding trails. 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.

San Diego River Park Foundation – The following river cleanup, field assessment, and water quality monitoring events are being offered throughout the month of June. 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.
• June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 9am to 12pm – IMPACT Teams – Join team IMPACT to help remove non-native invasive species from the lower San Diego watershed adjacent to the Fashion Valley Mall. Learn more or sign up for cleanup events on June 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th.
• June 11 and 25, 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 June 11^th and 25^th.
• June 16 (East County) and 25 (West County), 8am to 12pm – RiverWatch East and West Team Monthly Water Quality Monitoring – Come join the RiverWatch East and West teams to learn how to monitor the water quality of the San Diego River. Learn more or sign up for the events on June 16^th and 25^th.
• June 21, 8am to 12pm – Preserve Steward Day – Help Preserve Stewards care for the headwaters of the San Diego River by maintaining trails, removing invasive non-native plants, caring for native plants, installing irrigation, and more. Learn more or sign up.

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve – Friday Stewardship Sessions – June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 9am to 12pm – Join stewardship volunteers on Fridays in June 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 June 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th.       

San Diego Canyonlands Cleanup and Restoration Volunteer Event – June 3, 9am to 11am – Tecolote Canyon – Participate in a local habitat restoration and cleanup effort in Tecolote Canyon to plant and care for native plants, remove invasive plants, and remove trash and debris. Learn more or sign up.

Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party Events – June 5, 12, 19, and 26, 9am to 12pm – Join the crew at the Nature Center on Monday mornings to do a little maintenance work around the native plant garden and trails. Learn more about the June 5^th, June 12^th, June 19^th, and June 26^th events.

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

• June 17, 9am to 10:30am – El Corazon, Oceanside. Learn more.
• June 24, 9am to 10:30am – Rancho La Costa Preserve, Carlsbad. Learn more.

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

• June 2, 9am to 12pm – Anstine Nature Preserve Volunteer Work Party – Help remove non-native, invasive species to make room for native plants. Learn more.
• June 10, 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.
• June 24, 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.

Escondido Creek Conservancy – Welcome to the Watershed Hikes – Leomar Preserve Olivenhain Hike – June 3, 9am to 12pm – Explore the Leomar Preserve to learn about the plant and animal life within the watershed and how it is influenced by the cooler coastal temperatures. Learn more or register.

National Trails Day Cleanup at Rancho Carrillo – City of Carlsbad – June 3, 8:30am to 11:30am – Join the City of Carlsbad for their June 3^rd trail cleanup at Rancho Carrillo. Volunteering for trail cleanups is a great way to have fun, keep fit, and learn about our natural environment. You can make a lasting contribution that benefits, protects, and preserves the community for generations. Learn more about this event and other trail cleanups throughout the year.

City of Oceanside Spring Dump Day – June 10, 9am to 12pm – Join the Green Oceanside Team in the City of Oceanside’s spring dump day cleanup to help remove debris, trash, and illegally dumped items from City neighborhoods, parks, and beaches. Offered in collaboration with Neighborhood Services and Code Enforcement at two locations – Crown Heights Resource Center and Joe Balderrama Park. Volunteers are also wanted to help clean up the community on the day of the event. Learn more.

The Living Coastal Discovery Center Team Up to Clean Up Event – J Street Marina/Marina View Park –

June 25, 9am to 11am – Help remove litter from our parks and waterways to support local wildlife. Learn more or register.

Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup – Through June 22 – Join Keep America Beautiful in celebrating the Great American Cleanup’s 25^th year. Participate in a local or individual cleanup and receive a free clean-up kit.  Learn more and sign up to volunteer.

Landscape & Gardening Events

WaterSmart Residential Landscape and Irrigation Events – The San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Program is providing the following free online 3-Hour Landscape Workshops during the month of June. Funded in part by the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program.

• June 3, 9am to 12pm – Design: Shape Your Space – Learn how to integrate your landscape into your personal lifestyle. Learn more or register.
• June 10, 9am to 12pm – Plants: Inspiring Choices for Our Region – Learn about which plants to use in designing a low-water-use landscape and why some are more water-efficient than others. Learn more or register.
• June 17, 9am to 12pm – Water & Irrigation: Utilizing a Precious Resource – Learn strategies to use our limited water sources wisely, including integrating stormwater capture elements into your landscape and conserving water through simple irrigation system retrofits. Learn more or register.
• June 24, 9am to 12pm – Installation & Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment – Learn strategies for success in removing your turf and installing and maintaining your landscaping. Learn more or register.
• Designer At Your Door Water Conservation and Landscape Makeover Service – Transform your yard into a beautiful water-saving landscape. Register and attend five 3-hour WaterSmart Landscape Workshops (above) and qualify to receive one-on-one support from industry professionals. Funded in part by the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program. Learn more about homeowner eligibility and apply.
• Past Recordings – View past workshops.

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

• 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 – 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.
• Irrigation & Water Use Efficiency – Learn how to design a yard using the principles of watershed wise landscaping. Topics include overview of an irrigation system, programming a controller, why drip over spray, and easy ways to conserve water.
• Rainwater Harvesting – Learn how to design your yard using watershed-wise landscaping including criteria and considerations when selecting rain capture methods such as swales, berms, cisterns, and integrating hardscapes.
• Deciphering Your Irrigation Controller – Learn about your irrigation controller including understanding irrigation’s role in maintaining a soil moisture balance, outlining the purpose of a weather-based controller, reviewing basic terminology and programming principles, identifying special functions like cycle & soak, and troubleshooting typical problems.
• 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.
• Drip Irrigation Fundamentals – Learn how to save your landscape by understanding soil moisture balance, key components of a properly installed drip system, typical problems with drip and how to avoid them, and developing a successful maintenance practice.
• 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.

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Naturehood Monthly Gardening Webinars – Get Rid of Garden Pests the Natural Way – June 1, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – Learn about integrated pest management and how to keep pests low. Learn more or register.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Water Wise Gardening Webinar – National City – June 3, 12pm to 2pm – Learn how to create a less thirsty and more environmentally-friendly landscape including climate-appropriate planting, using mulch and compost to conserve water, managing irrigation efficiently, and soil types and gardening styles. Unincorporated residents can receive a free food scraps caddy, courtesy of the County of San Diego. Funded by the County of San Diego Recycling in partnership with the County of San Diego Library. Site provider Lincoln Acres Library. Learn more or register.

San Diego Botanic Garden – The following events are being offered in June.

• Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in June, 10am to 12pm – Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – 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 June calendar for specific SAPLinGS dates of interest and to learn more.
• Water Wisdom Workshops – ($$ fees vary and include Garden admission) – Attend these fun and educational workshops to help you care for your water wise garden in a sustainable manner.
  • June 3, 10am to 12pm – Water Wisdom Workshop #1: Choosing Your Plants and Basic Design Ideas – Attendees will learn about beautiful, easy, waterwise plants that will invite wildlife and thrive in their landscape. The basics of keeping the right plant in the right place and designing your garden for maximum enjoyment will be discussed. The workshop will be 1.5 hours inside followed by a half-hour garden tour. Registration closes on June 1^st. Learn more or register.
  • June 24, 10am to 12pm – Water Wisdom Workshop #2: Water What, When, and Where? – Attendees will learn the best ways to irrigate their landscapes and how to deep water trees. Swales, dry stream beds, and rain barrels will all be discussed. A few minutes will be given to the benefits of native and blooming plants before the half-hour garden tour. Registration closes on June 22^nd. Learn more or register.
• Monthly Summer Science Series – June 23, 2pm to 3pm – ($$fees vary and include Garden admission). Join the Garden each month as plant science and conservation efforts are presented by San Diego Botanic Garden’s staff, colleagues, and guest speakers. Speakers are to be determined. Registration closes on June 22^nd. Learn more or register.

Alta Vista Botanical Garden – June 10, 10am to 12pm – Kids in the Garden Classes – Recycled Art (using saved trash) – ($5 fee, includes entry to the Garden) – Learn how to make creative projects using ‘saved’ trash. Learn more or pre-register with Farmer Jones at farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com.

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

• How Much and How Often to Water Zoom and Onsite Workshops – Learn the basics on watering efficiency for your garden and landscape during these Zoom and onsite workshops. Attendance at both sessions is highly encouraged. Sponsored by the County of San Diego.
  • June 13, 10am to 11am (Zoom) – The focus of this workshop will be how much to water. Topics include plant watering needs, amount of water that irrigation systems provide, irrigation controller programming information, best components for water conservation, where to find rebates for smart controllers, and more. Learn more or register.
  • June 17, 10am to 11:30am (Onsite) – The focus of this hands-on workshop will be how often to water. Topics include where to find data to help you know when to water as well as information on various components of irrigation systems (spray heads, drip irrigation, valves) and how they impact system efficiency and water conservation. Irrigation technicians will also be onsite to help you learn how to properly maintain and adjust your system. This will be hands-on, so be ready to get wet. Learn more or register.
• June 21, 9:30am to 10:30am – Lil’ Sprouts Storytime with Ms. Smarty-Plants Spring 2023 – 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 Monday, June 19^th. Learn more or register.
• June Landscape Design On-Line Consultation Sessions – weekly on Wednesdays, 3pm or 4pm; monthly on second Tuesday, 9am or 10am – ($$ 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 weekly on Wednesdays or monthly on second Tuesday. Learn more or register.

University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program - Urban and Community Monthly Webinar Series – Summertime Household Pests – June 15, 12pm to 1pm – Learn about pest identification, prevention, and management around the home and garden during this monthly webinar series offered every Thursday. The June topic will focus on what pest species to expect during the summertime and how to prevent and manage their populations using IPM! Learn more or register.

Waste Reduction Events

Indoor Organics Bin

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

• June 3, 10am to 11am - Organic Waste Recycling Workshop – City of San Diego – Learn about mandatory organic waste recycling for City of San Diego residents including how to properly dispose of food waste, types of waste that go in organic waste recycling bins, and why it’s important to divert organic waste from our landfills. Participants will receive FREE compost from the Miramar Greenery and informational resources in a follow up email! Site location Allied Gardens Recreation Center. Sponsored by the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department. Learn more or register.
• June 21, 4pm to 5pm – Green Business Solutions – Learn about zero waste practices for businesses such as offices, restaurants, retail and more, through this informational and interactive presentation offered in partnership with Wells Fargo. Learn more or register.
• June 24, 10am to 1pm – 8^th Annual Zero Waste Fair – City of Encinitas – Learn about a variety of topics related to zero waste including low-waste living, composting, recycling, sustainable swaps for everyday products, and more. The day’s activities include informative presentations, booths from sustainable companies, and hands-on low waste DIYs. Site provider EUSD Farm Lab. 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 June.

• June 3, 10am to 12pm – Backyard Composting Basics Webinar – El Cajon – Learn the basics of traditional backyard composting including the importance and benefits of composting, composting bin options, tools and materials, and how to build a compost pile. Offered in partnership with The Water Conservation Garden. Funded by the County of San Diego Recycling. Learn more or register.
• June 10, 17, and 24, 10am to 1pm – On-Farm Composting Course – Pauma Valley – (refundable fee of $25 upon successful completion of course) – In this 3-week composting course that focuses on farms, ranches, or large properties, you’ll learn how to manage crop residues, manures, and other organic waste while creating a stellar soil amendment. Topics include composting basics and management, composting/water saving benefits, neighbor-friendly composting best management practices, and what is permissible on farms without permits. Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego will receive preferential registration. Sponsored by the County of San Diego Recycling. Site host Pauma Tribal Farms, Pauma Valley. Learn more or register.
• June 13, 6pm to 7pm – Fight Climate Change From Your Kitchen Webinar – City of San Diego – Learn practical solutions to reduce food waste in your home and how incorporating these practices into your daily life can be a great way to help the environment and save money. Additional topics include the social, environmental, and economic impacts of food waste, and where and how food is being wasted in the U.S. and around the world. Funded by City of San Diego Environmental Services. Learn more or register.
• June 21 – Free E-Business Waste Pickup – A free monthly e-waste pick-up service is being offered to businesses in San Diego County. Register by Friday June 16^th for the Wednesday June 21^st Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.

The Living Coastal Discovery Center – Learn the basics on how to start your own compost pile and turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil by attending the following on-site and virtual events. Chula Vista residents can purchase a Soil Saver compost bin for $35 after attending one of the City’s composting workshops or the Master Composter Course. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more or register.

• Every Sunday in June, 2pm to 3pm – On-site workshop free with admission.
• June 4, 2pm to 3pm – Virtual workshop.
• Pre-recoded workshops – View video compost workshops

Free Paper Shredding, E-Waste, and Mulch Give Away Event – June 24, 9am to 12pm – City of Poway (Poway Residents) – Join the City of Poway for a free paper shredding, e-waste, and mulch give away event at City of Poway Materials Handling Yard. Learn more.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention & Education

Rainwater Harvesting Workshops & Free Rain Barrel Giveaways – Various Dates in June – The County of San Diego's Waterscape Rebate Program is hosting free rainwater harvesting workshops on June 4, June 10, June 11, and June 17, and will be giving away a free rain barrel for those in attendance (limited availability).  Learn more or register.  

The Living Coast Discovery Center Summer Kids’ Wildlife Camps – Various sessions June through July, 8am through 5pm – ($$ fees vary) – Campers will spend their days exploring, learning about local wildlife and conservation, interacting with the animals that call the Living Coast their home, and so much more! Half-day and full-day options and fees vary by age group. See calendar and register.

Center for Watershed Protection – 2023 Webcast Series: Webcast 5 – Non-Structural Best Management Practices (BMPs); Addressing Runoff from Residential Areas ($159 fee) – June 21, 10am to 11:30am Pacific Time – This presentation focuses on the impacts of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution and how BMPs in stormwater control and rainfall capture have evolved to address issues such as algae blooms, oxygen depletion, dead fish, and eutrophication. Note time on website posted as Eastern Time. Learn more or register. 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

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ONLINE SERVICES

Report Stormwater Pollution
Report observed pollution to the correct jurisdiction.

Citizen Access Portal
Research property information and permits. Apply for some permits online.

GIS Maps
Find property information including zoning designation with our web-based mapping tool. 

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.