Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
OCTOBER 2024
We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in October 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, San Diego Bird Alliance, Preserve Calavera, San Dieguito River Park, Friends of Rose Creek, Friends of Ruffin Canyon, ASCENDtials.org, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, Recycle for Veterans, California State Parks Foundation, South Bay Sustainable Network Communities, City of La Mesa, City of San Diego, and City of Chula Vista.
October 3
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Planting: River Center at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
October 4
October 5
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8:30am to 12:30pm – California State Parks Foundation Silver Strand Beach Cleanup. Learn more or sign up.
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8am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation Ocean Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation Oceanside Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 12pm – Friends of Ruffin Canyon, Ruffin Canyon Cleanup. Learn more.
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9:15am to 11am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Beach Cleanup – Torrey Pines, Black’s Beach. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/5 date on the calendar.
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9:30am to 1pm – San Diego Bird Alliance, Community Restoration: Mariner’s Point. Learn more or register.
October 6
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12:15pm to 1:30pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, 5 South at Mission Bay Beach Club. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/6 date on the calendar.
October 8
October 10
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Planting: River Center at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 11am – Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Trail Cleanup Event – Discovery Center. Learn more or sign up.
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3pm to 5pm – San Diego Coastkeeper Weeknight Cleanup and Meetup – Fiesta Island/Mission Bay. Learn more.
October 11
October 12
October 13
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8:30am to 12pm – TRNERR and California State Parks Foundation, Park Champions Habitat Restoration. Learn more.
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9am to 11am – San Diego River Park Foundation Point Loma Native Plant Garden. Learn more or sign up.
October 16
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8am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Preserve Stewards at Eagle Peak Preserve. Learn more or sign up.
October 17
October 18
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8am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Water Quality Monitoring: East County. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR Friday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Session. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Fall River Blitz – San Diego location TBD. Learn more or sign up.
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9:30am to 1pm – San Diego Bird Alliance Community Restoration: Planting at the Sweetwater Bike Path. Learn more or register.
October 19
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8:30am to 12pm – Beautify Chula Vista – City of Chula Vista and South Bay Sustainable Communities Network. Learn more or register.
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9am to 10:30am – Preserve Calavera El Corazon Restoration. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Watershed Warriors: Flinn Springs County Park. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation Moonlight Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Fall River Blitz – San Diego location TBD. Learn more or sign up.
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9:15am to 11am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, Highway 75 at Coronado Island. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/19 date on the calendar.
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10am to 12pm – Surfrider Foundation Imperial Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
October 20
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4:15pm to 5:30pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, 5 South at Mission Bay Beach Club. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/20 date on the calendar.
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4:15pm to 6pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, I-5 at Pointsettia Ln. & La Costa Highway. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/20 date on the calendar.
October 24
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Planting: River Center at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
October 25
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR Friday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Session. Learn more or sign up.
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5pm to 7pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, Highway 5 N @ 28th/National Ave. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/25 date on the calendar.
October 26
October 27
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9am to 11am – San Diego River Park Foundation Point Loma Native Plant Garden. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Fall River Blitz – Santee/East County location TBD. Learn more or sign up.
October 29
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12:15 to 2pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup @ 805N at Sweetwater Rd. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 10/29 date on the calendar.
October 31
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8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation Planting: River Center at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
Monthly/Ongoing or On Your Own Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
UCCE Master Gardener Association of San Diego – The following events will be offered in October.
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October 2, 12pm to 12:30pm – San Diego County Operations Center Lunch & Learn Series – The Master Gardeners will do a half hour presentation open to the public on various gardening topics. They will convene at the demonstration garden at the center of the County Operations Center. Learn more.
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October 5 and 6, 10am to 4pm/5pm – Fall Home & Garden Show and Birdhouse Sales. Learn more about the October 5th and 6th events.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – The following events will be offered in October.
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October 3, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – 2024 Naturehood Monthly Webinars – Garden Guardians: Pest Management for California Native Plants – Learn how to protect California native plants from disease. Topics include how to prevent plant pathogens from invading your landscape, best ways to scout for pests, what to look for when buying new plants to keep your garden healthy, and the latest trends in California forest tree diseases. Learn more or register.
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October 14, 7pm to 8:30pm – Indigenous Peoples’ Use of California Native Plants Webinar – Learn how the original people of California used native plants in a sustainable manner in their everyday lives. Learn more or register.
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October 19, 9am to 3pm – 2024 Fall Native Plant Sale at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, Escondido – Attend to explore a diverse selection of native plants and get personalized advice on selecting and caring for them. Other items for sale include books, art, sustainable goods, and more. Learn more.
University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Healthy Garden-Healthy Home Community Workshops – The following workshops will be offered in October in partnership with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and the County of San Diego. Location: UCCE/San Diego County Operations Center.
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October 4, 1pm to 2:30pm – Starting to Grow You Own Food? Win the Battle Against Pests: Healthy Gardening – Learn how to keep your plants healthy, prevent pests, and understand the good and bad bugs that are a part of every garden. Learn more or register.
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October 11, 1pm to 2:30pm – Growing Fresh Herbs for Cooking: Herb Garden Pests & Diseases – Learn how to grow herbs in containers, recognize common pests and plant diseases, and safely prevent pests and diseases. Learn more or register.
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October 18, 1pm to 2:30pm – Control Ants the Healthy Way: Controlling Ants in Your Home and Garden – Learn what to do when ants invade your plants and home, how to make your property less attractive to ants, and how bait control works. Learn more or register.
University of California (UC) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – The following events will be offered in October.
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October 8, 8am to 5pm (ENGLISH); October 22, 8am to 5pm (SPANISH) – Pesticide Safety Zoom Workshop, Instructor Training (fee $300) – The Train the Trainer workshop will qualify participants to train fieldworkers and pesticide handlers under California pesticide regulations. Learn more or register.
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October 15, 8am to 12pm (ENGLISH) and 1pm to 4pm (SPANISH) – Pesticide Safety Zoom Workshop, Train-the-Trainer Refresher (fee $100) – This workshop provides a review of the required annual training topics for fieldworkers and handlers. Learn more or register.
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October 17, 12pm to 1pm – Urban & Community Webinar Series – Spooky Insects Webinar (Halloween Special) – Join for a fun webinar learning about the creepiest insect predators, parasitoids, and blood sucking creatures! Learn more or register.
Alta Vista Botanical Gardens Fall Fun Festival – October 12, 10am to 3pm – This year’s festival includes a plant sale, kids crafts and activities, craft vendors, live music, and a home-constructed scarecrow contest. Pick up scarecrow supplies in advance! Food will also be available for sale. Learn more.
San Diego Botanic Garden Events – The following events will be offered in October.
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October 26, 10am to 12:30pm – Grow Food, End Hunger, Save the Planet Workshop ($10 deposit refundable upon attendance) – Learn how to grow your own food garden and ways to reduce food waste at home. Workshop takeaways include organic seedlings, organic seed packets, garden tools, a local garden resource and planting guide, tricks of the trade for a zero-waste kitchen, and so much more! Funded by the USBG and APGA. Register by October 25th. Learn more or register.
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Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in October, 10am to 12pm – Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Children are invited to join for Science, Art, and Play in Garden Spaces (SAPLinGS) activities. Topics vary by month 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. Learn more.
Landscape and Water-Savings Webinars – A series of landscape and water-savings webinars will be offered in October. Dates and times vary. Hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register.
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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 Landscape – Learn how to design a yard using the four principles of gorgeous and watershed-wise landscaping including building healthy soil, capturing rainwater, selecting native plants that minimize water use, and controlling irrigation.
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Garden Design Workshop – Learn how to identify critical steps for successfully designing a watershed-wise landscape including creating a successful planting plan, developing a palette of climate-appropriate plants, and sizing and siting the rainwater capture area.
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Keeping Rain in the Garden – 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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Goodbye Grass, Hello Garden: Qualify for Rebates – 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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Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency – Learn about irrigation systems, programming controllers, why to choose drip over spray, and easy ways to conserve water.
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Scheduling Your Irrigation Timer – Learn about the purpose, potential, and programming of irrigation controllers. Also, understand irrigation’s role in maintaining a soil moisture balance, review basic terminology, programming principles, special controller functions, and troubleshooting typical problems.
WaterSmart Residential Landscape and Irrigation Events – The San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Program is providing past recordings of 3-Hour Landscape Workshops. View past workshops.
The Living Coast Discovery Center – The following composting events will be offered in October.
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6 de octubre, de 11:30am a 12:30pm – Taller de Compostaje Bilingüe / Bilingual Composting Workshop (Dual-language event in English and Spanish) – 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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October 13 and 20, 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 October 13th and 20th workshops.
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October 27, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Vermicomposting Workshop – Learn how to build and care for your own worm bin. Learn more or register.
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) Green Traveling: Near and Far Webinar – October 9, 12pm to 1pm – Learn how to plan fun trips while minimizing your impact on the environment including lower impact methods of travel, low waste swaps for traveling products and tools, the pros and cons of eco-tourism, and local spots for a staycation in San Diego. Sponsored by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
SD Environmental Services One-Day Collection Events – City of San Diego –The following one-day household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events will be held during the month of October. Learn more.
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October 12, 9am to 1pm – Mission Bay South Shores boat launch.
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October 26, 9am to 1pm – Balboa Park, lower inspiration parking lot.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business events will be offered in October.
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October 16 – 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, October 11th for the Wednesday, October 16th Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.
The Water Conservation Garden – Sustainable Living Sessions ($$ fees vary) – Attend these sustainable living sessions to discover practical ways to integrate sustainability into your daily life. Also, learn how small and personal lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Learn more about these sessions and other Garden events.
Cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove – Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event – October 19, All Day (by appointment). Residents of the Cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove can dispose of their household hazardous waste such as batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, paints/solvents, and more. Learn more and schedule an appointment.
City of Chula Vista Fixit Clinic – October 19, 10am to 1pm – Learn how to reduce waste by fixing things instead of throwing items away. Bring broken or non-working items for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you take apart and troubleshoot your item will be provided. Site location: Montevalle Recreation Center. Clinics hosted by Zero Waste San Diego with the help of many other zero waste partners. Learn more or RSVP.
City of Carlsbad Costume Swap and Fixit Clinic – October 26, 10am to 1pm – Attend this Costume Swap to help conserve natural resources and keep clothes from ending up in the landfill. Bring in gently used Halloween costumes and clothing items to exchange for other pieces. Also bring broken or non-working items to this Fixit Clinic for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. Workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you take apart and troubleshoot your item will be provided. Site location Georgina Cole Library, Carlsbad. Event sponsored by I Love A Clean San Diego and City of Carlsbad. Fixit Clinic hosted by Zero Waste San Diego. Learn more and RSVP to Fixit Clinic.
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.
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR), Tijuana River Action Month (TRAM) Events – Through October 20, 2024 – The following events will be offered as part of TRAM.
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October 5, 9:30am to 6pm – Public Forum Healing & Advocacy in the Tijuana River Watershed Pollution Crisis – Learn more about the Tijuana Watershed pollution crisis and hear from a keynote discussion with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, public health advocate. Location South San Diego County. Hosted by the Border Pollution Coalition. Learn more.
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October 12, 10am to 12pm – Discussion: Leave No Trace in Daily Life – Led by a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor, learn how to reduce human impact on the environment in daily life. Site location: Driftwood Ranch, San Diego. Hosted by Tijuana River Valley Equestrian Center. Learn more.
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October 13, 12pm to 4pm – Unite to Heal Our Coast – Hear from activists and celebrate a year of advocacy in addressing public health and environmental issues in the Tijuana River Watershed. Site location: Portwood Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach. Hosted by San Diego Surfrider. Learn more.
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Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm – Junior Rangers Program – Ongoing Kids Educational Event – Kids aged 7 through 12 are invited to learn about the ecology of estuaries and the importance of wetlands. They will participate in hands-on activities and can earn patches, buttons, and more as they progress through the program! Programs are held rain or shine and they’re FREE! Learn more by clicking on the October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, or 31st.
The Living Coast Discovery Center – Bilingual Sweetwater Safari Hike – October 5, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Explore the Sweetwater Marsh Trail on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the history of the Marsh, the salt marsh ecosystem, and the plants and wildlife thriving in this protected space. Learn more or sign up.
El Living Coast Discovery Center – Caminata Safari de Sweetwater Bilingüe – 5 de octubre, de 11:30am a 12:30pm – ¡Acompáñenos todos los sábados a explorar el sendero de la marisma de Sweetwater en el refugio silvestre nacional de la bahía de San Diego! Aprenderemos sobre la historia de la marisma de Sweetwater, el ecosistema de la marisma salada, y las plantas y vida silvestre que prospera en este espacio protegido. Mochilas con actividades divertidas, incluyendo lupas y binoculares, serán disponibles para que las familias participantes lo usen mientras estén en la caminata. Obtenga más información o registrese.
I Love A Clean San Diego Fall Social Fundraiser – Bahia Resort Hotel – October 10, 5:30pm to 8:30pm ($$ ticket prices vary) – Join ILACSD and come celebrate 70 years of environmental action in our community by keeping San Diego clean. Enjoy live music, delicious food and drink, awards recognizing ILACSD’s community members and partners, and more! Learn more or purchase tickets.
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, River Valley Fest 2024 – October 13, 4:30pm to 7:30pm ($$ ticket prices vary) – This year's fundraiser theme, "A Flourishing Legacy," honors the nearly four decades of work dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and nurturing the lands that sustain both wildlife and people. Funds raised will help continued conservation of the river valley, educational, and recreational programs that foster environmental stewardship. Learn more or purchase tickets.
California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) 2024 Conference – Inspiring Solutions Together – October 21-23 – Sacramento, 8am to 5pm ($$ fees vary) – This year’s conference will offer in-depth learning opportunities and discussions on a wide range of stormwater and water management topics. There will also be an increased focus on the core qualities that make CASQA and our annual conference exceptional – inspiring each other, focusing on solutions, working together on critical stormwater management issues, and the creation of a Rain Ready California for a more resilient future. Registration closes October 11th. Learn more or register.
Center for Watershed Protection – 2024 Webcast Series: Webcast 8 – Agriculture and Watershed Management – October 23, 1pm EDT ($159 fee non-member) – This webcast focuses on connecting healthy soils and streams by engaging farmers in watershed restoration efforts. Critical practices include improving soil health, managing nutrients, and planting riparian forested buffers. This session will explore several strategies used by conservation organizations and which approaches resonate best with farmers. Note the time on the website is posted as Eastern Time. Scroll to webcast 8 to learn more or register.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – Preschool Playdates Program ($$ fees vary) – All children ages 3 to 5 are invited to join the daily program for nature-themed lessons and activities. Each day will include environmental education and literacy, a craft made from recycled materials, outdoor play, and more. You can register for individual days or the entire week. Topics vary by month with the October topic being Long, Long Ago. Learn more or register.
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