Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
NOVEMBER 2023
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.
 Ongoing beach and community cleanups help protect the County’s waterways from stormwater pollution and can preserve water quality for years to come. The County thanks the following beach and community cleanup event partners for their ongoing support in preventing stormwater pollution: I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD), Surfrider Foundation San Diego, San Diego Coastkeeper, San Diego River Park Foundation, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR), San Diego Canyonlands, Buena Vista Audubon (BVA), San Diego Audubon, Preserve Calavera, Think Blue San Diego, Green Oceanside, Friends of Navajo Canyon, ASCENDtials.org, Recycle for Veterans, Ecological Servants Project, Keep America Beautiful, Clean California, South Bay Sustainable Communities Network, City of Carlsbad, City of Chula Vista, City of La Mesa, City of Oceanside, City of San Diego Environmental Services, Casa De Oro Community Alliance, Council District 9, San Diego Gas & Electric, Paradise Gardeners, Fallbrook Beautification Alliance, Flaherty’s Charities, Escondido Community Garden, and San Ysidro Library.
November 2
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) Cleanup and Restoration. Learn more or sign up.
November 3
November 4
November 6
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
November 7
November 9
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) Cleanup and Restoration. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – Agua Hedionda Foundation Hubbs Trail Restoration. Learn more.
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3pm to 5pm – ILACSD Stay Class O’Side: Joseph Balderrama Park Cleanup. Learn more or register.
November 10
November 11
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8am to 10:30am – San Diego Canyonlands Manzanita Canyon Volunteer Event. Learn more or sign up.
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8am to 11am – San Diego Canyonlands Tierrasanta Canyons Volunteer Event. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 10:30am – Preserve Calavera Restoration Event, Rancho La Costa. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego Audubon Friends of Famosa Slough Work Party. Learn more.
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9am to 11am – San Diego Audubon Friends of Rose Creek Work Party. Learn more or RSVP.
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10am to 12pm – ILACSD Watershed Warriors: Bonsall Bridge Community Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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10:15am to 11:45am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Beach Cleanup, Silver Strand Beach. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/11 date on the calendar.
November 12
November 13
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
November 14
November 15
November 16
November 17
November 18
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9am to 10:30am – Preserve Calavera Restoration Event, El Corazon, Oceanside. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Litter Free La Mesa: Vista La Mesa Park Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation San Diego Moonlight State Beach Cleanup & Reusable Bag Drive. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – San Diego Canyonlands Navajo Canyon Habitat Restoration. Learn more or register.
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9:15am to 11:00am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, Highway 75 at Coronado Island. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/18 date on the calendar
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10am to 12pm – Surfrider Foundation San Diego Imperial Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
November 20
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
November 21
November 23
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) Cleanup and Restoration. Learn more or sign up.
November 24
November 25
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8:45am to 12pm – Recycle for Veterans San Diego River Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – San Diego Audubon Wander the Wetlands Work Party and Invasive Plant Removal – Kendall-Frost Marsh. Learn more or register.
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9:15am to 11:30 – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, Highway 125 at Quarry/Elketon. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/25 date on the calendar.
November 27
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
November 28
November 30
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) Cleanup and Restoration. Learn more or sign up.
Monthly/Ongoing or On Your Own Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
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Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Assessment Field Teams (RAFT). Learn more or sign up.
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Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – San Dieguito River Park Foundation Dust Devils Trail Maintenance and Habitat Restoration Events. Locations vary. See November event calendar to learn more.
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Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation River Rescue Cleanups. Learn more or sign up.
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Saturdays – San Diego Canyonlands Cleanup and Restoration Events. Times and locations vary. See November event calendar to learn more.
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San Diego Surfrider Foundation Ongoing Solo Cleanups. Learn more.
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Coastkeeper San Diego Six Cleanup Challenge, Flexible Dates/Times. Learn more and see list of challenge sites.
 UCCE Master Gardener Association of San Diego Monthly Lunch & Learn – Tool Care and Cleaning Demonstration – November 1, 12pm to 12:30pm--The San Diego Master Gardeners will do a half-hour public presentation on various gardening topics at the County Operations Center Demonstration Garden. Bring your lunch. Learn more.
WaterSmart Residential Landscape and Irrigation Events – The San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Program is providing the following in-person and virtual workshops and conservation services, during the month of November.
Virtual Workshops
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November 1, 5:30pm to 8:30pm – 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.
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November 8, 5:30pm to 8:30pm – 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.
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November 15, 5:30pm to 8:30pm – Installation & Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment – Learn strategies for success in removing your turf and installing and maintaining your landscaping. Learn more or register.
In-Person Workshops
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November 4, 10am to 1pm – 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.
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November 6, 5pm to 8pm – 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.
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Designer At Your Door Water Conservation Service – This service provides an opportunity for one-on-one support from industry professionals that complements special topic WaterSmart landscape classes. Homeowners must meet certain criteria to qualify for this service. Learn more about homeowner eligibility by clicking on the Design Program tab and apply.
Past Recordings of 3-Hour Landscape Workshops – View past workshops.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – The following events will be offered in November.
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November 2, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – Naturehood Monthly Gardening Webinars – Native Gardening 101: Plant Babies – Learn about California native plant propagation in time for the winter rains. Discover the secrets to cultivating and raising our state’s beautiful native flora in your own yard or containers. No previous parenting experience required! Learn more or register.
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November 13, 7pm to 8:30pm – Arranging California Native Plants in Bouquets, Garlands and Wreaths for the Holidays Webinar – This is a continuation of last year’s talk with emphasis on garlands and wreaths. Learn more or register.
San Diego Audubon Native Plant Fall Garden Celebration – November 4, 9am to 12pm – Activities at this family-friendly event include learning about native plants and vegetable gardening, children’s activities, raffles, and the ability to compost your Halloween pumpkins. Site location Mosaic Community Garden of Chula Vista. Learn more.
The Water Conservation Garden – The following garden event and consultation services will be offered in November.
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November 4, 10am to 11am – Hillside Planting – Learn beautiful solutions for planting on slopes or hillsides to help protect our precious watersheds from runoff pollution. Sponsored by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
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November 11, 10am to 2pm – Fall Plant Sale 2023 – Join the Garden for an exclusive plant sale to honor Veterans Day and the growing garden community while enjoying the flora and fresh fall air. Garden member preview 9am to 10am. Learn more.
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November 11, 12pm to 1pm – Solutions for Hillsides Zoom Event – Learn tips for planting on your slope or hillside, along with what not to do. Learn more or register.
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November 15, 9:30am to 10:30am – Lil’ Sprouts Storytime with Ms. Smarty-Plants – Join Ms. Smarty-Plants™ on the 3rd Wednesday of every month for a featured story followed by a nature craft. Storytime is free with Garden Admission. Registration will close on Monday, November 13th. Learn more or register.
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November Landscape Design On-Line Consultation Sessions – appointment times and 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. Learn more or register.
San Diego Botanic Garden – Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10am to 12pm
– Children are invited to join in 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
 Help our waterways thrive and reduce landfill waste by recycling!
I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) Waste Reduction Events – The following waste reduction events are being offered in November.
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November 1, 5pm to 6pm – Green Routines Webinar – Learn how to eliminate waste from your daily routine by adopting zero waste practices throughout your home. Topics include sustainable product swaps, recommendations for local zero waste businesses and shops, and recipes for DIY zero waste cleaning and personal care products. Sponsored by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
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November 4, 9am to 12pm – Sustainable Saturdays in Fallbrook – Join ILACSD for a morning of activities focused on waste reduction to help us all be sustainable. The day includes a Litter Clean Up (9am to 11am) around the Fallbrook Community and Clothing Swap (10am to 12pm) where you can bring gently used clothing items to exchange them for other items at no cost. Learn more about both events.
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November 6, 5pm to 7pm – Slow Down Swap Party at Pacific Beach Library – Slow fashion down by getting new pieces second-hand at this Swap Party. You’ll also be able to learn and chat about circular economy and build community with other San Diegans. Learn more about the event and swap parties.
November 18, 10am to 2pm – San Diego County Used Oil & Oil Filter Recycling Event – Bring your used oil and filter for recycling at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts’ stores throughout the County of San Diego and receive a new oil filter for free. Learn more and see participating list of stores.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business events are being offered in November.
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November 1, 6pm to 7:30pm – Composting with Aerated Static Piles Webinar – This webinar will address the benefits of mid-scale composting using Aerated Static Piles (ASPs) for farms and ranches with moderate quantities of on-farm organic materials including manure, crop residues, and food scraps. Topics include using ASPs to minimize labor without costly equipment, system selection, feedstocks, and preparations, managing pest and smell concerns with neighbors, and ensuring compliance with San Diego County ordinances and/or Healthy Soils Program requirements. Sponsored by the County of San Diego, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and California Climate Investments. Learn more or register.
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Miramar Greenery to You: Compost, Mulch and Wood Chips Events – Learn about the City of San Diego-operated Miramar Greenery composting facility, the compost process, and environmental benefits. Also includes information on how compost can help you save money, time, and resources, and how you can easily get compost, mulch, and wood chips for your garden, landscape, or farm. If you’re a City of San Diego resident, you can pick up 2 cubic yards of compost and 4″ mulch from the Greenery for free with proof of residency! Sponsored by San Diego Environmental Services.
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November 4, 10:30am to 12pm – Miramar Greenery to You – Tecolote Nature Center – Site host Tecolote Nature Center. Learn more or register.
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November 8, 6pm to 7:00pm – Miramar Greenery to You – Webinar – Learn more or register.
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November 15, 6pm to 7pm – Rain Barrel & Water Harvesting Webinar – City of San Diego Stormwater Department – Learn about the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection at this webinar designed for City of San Diego residents. Topics include installation demonstration, downspout and rain chain connections, rain barrel maintenance and emptying practices, and rebates and discounts for City of San Diego residents. Webinar funded by Think Blue San Diego. Learn more about webinar and pre-order rain barrels.
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Free E-Business Waste Pickup – November 15 – A free monthly e-waste pick-up service is being offered to businesses in San Diego County. Register by Friday November 10th for the Wednesday November 15th Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.
San Diego Fixit Clinic Rancho Santa Fe – November 4, 10am to 1pm – Learn how to reduce waste by fixing things instead of throwing items away. Bring your broken, non-working items—electronics, appliances, computers, toys, bicycles, clothes, and more—for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you take apart and troubleshoot your item will be provided. Hosted by Zero Waste San Diego. Learn more and RSVP.
City of Chula Vista Free Composting Event – November 4, 8am to 12pm – Pick up free compost to beautify your landscape and improve your soil. For Chula Vista Residents only. Bring your shovels for loading, containers to fill, and don’t forget the tarps to cover your compost Learn more.
City of Escondido Free Composting Workshop – November 4, 8:30am to 10am – Learn how to build and maintain a backyard compost pile and worm bin. Offered in partnership with the Escondido Community Garden. Learn more.
City of La Mesa Household Hazardous Waste Event – November 4, 9am to 12:30pm – Free disposal of household hazardous waste is being offered for City of La Mesa residents. Appointment required. Learn more and sign up for appointment.
The Living Coastal Discovery Center Compost Workshops – The following events will be offered in November.
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5 de Noviembre, de 11:30 am a 12:30 pm – Bilingual Workshop – Aprenda los conceptos básicos sobre cómo comenzar su propia pila de compostaje y convertir los desechos de alimentos en tierra rica en nutrients. Asista a estos talleres in situ, gratis con la entrada. También se encuentran disponibles talleres de video pregrabados. Patrocinado por la Ciudad de Chula Vista. Obtenga más información o regístrese.
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November 5th, 12th and 19th, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Sunday Compost Workshops – Learn the basics on how to start your own compost pile and turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil by attending these on-site workshops, free with admission. Pre-recoded video workshops are also available. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more or sign up for the November 5th, 12th, and 19th
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November 26, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Vermicompost Workshop – Learn how to build and care for your own worm bin. Learn more or register.
San Diego Audubon Composting with Worms Workshops – Learn about worm composting during this two-part series:
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November 16, 6:30pm to 8pm – Part 1: Composting with Worms Zoom Session – Learn the basics of how worm composting works, how to build a bin, and what to do with castings. Learn more or register.
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November 18, 9:30am to 11am – Part 2: Composting with Worms Live Session – Anstine Audubon Preserve –Learn how to build simple worm bins out of paint buckets. Learn more or register.
SD Environmental Services One-Day Collection Events – City of San Diego – November 18, 9am to 1pm – Attend this one-day household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event at Balboa Park, Lower Inspiration Parking Lot. Learn more.
South Bay Sustainable Communities Network Monthly Compost Pile Turnings – various days, timeslots and cities – Join South Bay Sustainable Communities Network for monthly turnings of their soil saver compost bins at select compost hub locations throughout South San Diego County. Compost hubs are also available to community members to drop off food scraps. Scroll to bottom of home page to check calendar for hub locations and dates.
 Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Camps – The following fall and winter children’s discovery camps will be offered during the month of November. Camps feature hands-on, educational lessons and activities around a central theme designated for that camp week. All camps take place outdoors in Nature Nodes, and are filled with nature walks, animal interactions, and crafts.
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November 6th – Winter Camp Registration: Science and Sealife – Pricing and dates coming soon. Learn more and scroll down page to register via email list.
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November 20th through 22nd, 9am to 3pm – Dig Into Fall Camp ($$ fees vary) – Age range kinder to 5th Learn more or register.
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November 20th through 22nd, 9am to 1pm – Preschool Fall Camp ($$ fees vary) – Age range 3 to 5. Learn more or email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org to register.
Center for Watershed Protection – 2023 Webcast Series: Webcast 9 – Stakeholder Engagement – November 15, 10am to 11:30am ($159 fee) – Note time on website posted as Eastern Time. Scroll to webcast 8 to learn more or register
11th Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge Launch – Registration January 2nd through January 24th, 2024; Entries due May 24th, 2024 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water has launched the 11th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge —a design competition open to colleges and universities in the United States. The Challenge encourages undergraduate and graduate students to foster effective stormwater management and climate resilience practices that showcase the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure. Learn more on the EPA Challenge webpage and Campus RainWorks brief.
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