Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
DECEMBER 2023
We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in December 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, San Ysidro Library, Alpine Library, Julian Hard Cider Company, and California State Parks Foundation.
December 2
December 4
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR Monday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Sessions. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
December 5
December 7
December 9
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8am to 10:30am – San Diego Canyonlands Manzanita Canyon Volunteer Event. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Watershed Warriors: Lindo Lake County Park Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Watershed Warriors: South Lane County Park Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Litter Free La Mesa: Alvarado Avenue Stormwater Channel and Neighborhood Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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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 11am – San Diego Audubon Friends of Rose Creek Work Party. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Clean & Green Community Cleanup. Learn more or sign up.
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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 12/9 date on the calendar.
December 10
December 11
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR Monday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Sessions. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
December 12
December 14
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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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8am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation RiverWatch West County. Learn more or sign up.
December 15
December 16
December 18
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR Monday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Sessions. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
December 19
December 20
December 21
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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.
December 23
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9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation San Diego Tamarack State Beach Cleanup. 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 12/23 date on the calendar.
December 25
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9am to 12pm – Buena Vista Audubon Weekly Nature Center Garden Work Party. Learn more.
December 26
December 28
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Team E.C.O. (Education Center Operations) River Center at Grant Park Cleanup. 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 December 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 December 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.
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy International Volunteer Day Planting Event – December 3, 9am to 12pm – Make a positive impact on the environment by gathering together in person to plant trees and nurture nature. As part of the International Volunteer Day celebration, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn about the importance of restoration in the San Dieguito River Valley, and make a tangible difference in our local ecosystem. Learn more or register.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – December 7, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – Naturehood Monthly Gardening Webinars – Native Gardening 101: TLC for Native Trees – Learn how to care for native trees and get insights from native tree care experts. Learn more or register.
The Water Conservation Garden – The following garden event and consultation services will be offered in December.
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December 9, 5:30pm to 8pm – A Very Merry Garden with Ms. Smarty-Plants™ – ($$fees vary) – Join Ms. Smarty-Plants™ and Friends for a special Kid’s (only) Pop-up Shop, ornament making, a bubble dance party, and much more in The Garden magically filled with twinkle lights that the whole family will surely enjoy! Learn more or register.
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December 20, 9:30am to 10:30am – Lil’ Sprouts Storytime with Ms. Smarty-Plants – Join Ms. Smarty-Plants™ on the 3rd Wednesday of every month for a featured story followed by a nature craft. Storytime is free with Garden Admission. Registration will close on Monday, December 18th. Learn more or register.
San Diego Botanic Garden – The following events are being offered in December.
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Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10am to 12pm – Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Children are invited to join in for Science, Art, and Play in Garden Spaces (SAPLinGS) activities. Topics vary and will focus on a different plant or nature-based theme. Science activities engage kids with cool science and hands-on learning that stimulates curiosity. Art activities focus on projects that spark the imagination. December’s topic is Decomposers. Learn more.
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December 14, 10am – Succulent Grapevine Wreath – ($$fees vary) – Create your own decorated grapevine wreath with a variety of succulent cuttings from the Garden, as well as air plants and natural embellishments. Registration closes on December 7th. Garden admission included in class fee. Learn more or register.
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December 22, 2pm to 3pm – Monthly Summer Science Series – 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 December 21st. Learn more or register.
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December 30, 2pm – DIY Succulent Terrarium – ($$fees vary) – Create your very own beautiful succulent terrarium using a curated selection of high-quality materials. Registration closes on December 24th. Garden admission included in class fee. Learn more or register.
Landscape and Water-Savings Webinars – A series of landscape and water-savings webinars are being offered throughout the month of December. Dates and times vary. Hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) Waste Reduction Events – The following waste reduction events are being offered in December.
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December 2, 9am to 12pm – Sustainable Saturdays at Alpine Library – 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 Alpine Community and Clothing Swap (9am 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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December 5, 5pm to 7pm – Slow Down Swap Party at North Clairemont Library – Let’s slow down consumption through this free clothing and toy 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.
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December 7, 10am to 11am – To Buy or Not to Buy: The Dos and Don’ts of Sustainable Fashion Webinar – Learn how to make your closet more sustainable. Topics include textile recycling and upcycling ideas, low waste laundry routines, how to mindfully clean out your closet, thrift shopping tips and local secondhand store recommendations, and the environmental impacts of fast fashion. Sponsored by the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department. Learn more or register.
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Miramar Landfill Bus Tours – City of San Diego – Get a behind-the-scenes peek on what really happens when you dispose of waste and clear up the myth of throwing something “away”. Open to City of San Diego residents only.
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December 18, 5pm to 7pm – Slow Down Swap Party at Mission Hills Library – Let’s slow down consumption through this free clothing and toy 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.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business events are being offered in December.
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December 2, 10am to 11am – Green Living Tour ($5 fee) – Learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle with some easy steps to address issues around water, waste, and soil health. You’ll see sustainability in action as you explore worm bins, grey water systems, innovative compost projects, a water-wise garden, a tool lending library, and more. Learn more.
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December 9, 10am to 11am – Rain Barrel & Water Harvesting Workshop – Think Blue City of San Diego – 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. Site host San Diego Parks and Recreation. Learn more about webinar and pre-order rain barrels.
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Free E-Business Waste Pickup – December 20 – A free monthly e-waste pick-up service is being offered to businesses in San Diego County. Register by Friday December 8th for the Wednesday December 20th Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.
San Diego Fixit Clinics – The following Fixit Clinics will be offered in December. 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.
The Living Coast Discovery Center Compost Workshops – The following events will be offered in December.
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3 de diciembre, 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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December 10th, 17th and 24th, 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-recorded video workshops are also available. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more or sign up for the December 10th, 17th, and 24th
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December 31, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Vermicomposting Workshop – Learn how to build and care for your own worm bin. Learn more or register.
December 2023 through January 2024 (dates vary depending on city) – Countywide Christmas Tree Recycling – Help divert your Christmas tree from the landfill following your holiday festivities! Many communities in San Diego County have options for Christmas tree recycling at your curbside collection or at various drop-off locations. Options will include both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County. Locations will be available in mid-December at WasteFreeSD.org.
City of San Diego Environmental Services Waste Reduction Events – The following waste reduction events are being offered by the City of San Diego during the months of December and January.
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December 16, 9am to 1pm – One-Day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event – A one-day HHW collection event will be held at the Chollas Operations Yard, employee parking lot. Learn more.
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December 26th through January 23rd – 50th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program – City of San Diego – The City of San Diego is holding its 50th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program at a variety of drop-off sites throughout the San Diego community. See drop-off site locations and learn more.
South Bay Sustainable Communities Network – The following events will be offered during the month of December.
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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.
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Free Compost Workshops – December 10th and 26th, 8am – Through these hands-on compost workshops, learn how to turn and harvest a backyard compost system. Learn more and RSVP to Tina at (619) 738-4188 or email: SBSustainableCommunities@gmail.com.
Oceana and Surfrider San Diego Foundation – ‘We’re All Plastic People Now’ Film Screening and Panel Discussion – December 2, 4pm to 7pm – This film illuminates the worldwide plastic pollution crisis and unveils the extent to which plastic pollution permeates our daily lives and impacts human health. Watch movie trailer here. Learn more and sign up.
Surfing Madonna Oceans Project – Save the Ocean 4th Annual Art & Poetry Show – December 11 Submission Deadline – Use your creative talents to bring awareness to the environment and the need for ocean stewardship through conservation, preservation, and appreciation. Submit original artwork and poetry highlighting the beautiful ocean environment by December 11th to be displayed on exhibit January 17th through February 29th at the Front Porch Gallery, Carlsbad. Limited to 100 entries. Learn more or submit entries.
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.
California Coastal Commission K-12 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest – Entry deadline 5pm, January 31st, 2024 – This contest is open to kids in grades K-12 and focuses on a California coastal or ocean theme. Awards will be provided for both art and poetry entries in five grade categories K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Poems and artwork must be student’s original work. Winners will be announced in early April. Learn more or enter.
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