Don’t Miss These Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events in November!

Watershed_Banner-New-COSD-Logo-Final

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events

NOVEMBER 2024

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


Cleanup Events

November Cleanup Events 2024 Cleanups

 

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, Friends of Famosa Slough, ASCENDtials.org, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, California State Parks Foundation, Green Oceanside, City of Carlsbad, City of La Mesa, and City of Chula Vista.


November 1

November 2

  • 9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation Ocean Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
  • 9am to 11am – ILACSD Watershed Warriors: Collier County Park Cleanup. Learn more or register.
  • 9am to 11am – Surfrider Foundation Oceanside Cleanup. Learn more or register.
  • 9am to 12pm – Friends of Ruffin Canyon, Ruffin Canyon Cleanup. Learn more.
  • 9:15am to 11:30am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Beach Cleanup – Torrey Pines, Black’s Beach. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/2 date on the calendar.

November 3

  • 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 11/3 date on the calendar.

November 5

November 7

  • 8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
  • 3pm to 5pm – ILACSD and Green Oceanside - Stay Classy O’side: Lake Blvd Street Sweep. Learn more or register.

November 8

November 9

November 10

November 12

November 14

  • 8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
  • 8:30am to 12:30pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Water Quality Monitoring: West County. Learn more or sign up.

November 15

  • 8:30am to 12:30pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Water Quality Monitoring: East County. Learn more or sign up.
  • 9am to 12pm – TRNERR Friday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Session. Learn more or sign up.

November 16

November 17

  • 4:15pm to 5:30pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup Event at 5/Mission Bay Beach Club. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/17 date on the calendar.

November 19

November 20

  • 8am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation Preserve Stewards at Eagle Peak Preserve. Learn more or sign up.

November 21

  • 8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.

November 22

  • 9am to 12pm – TRNERR Friday Stewardship Cleanup and Restoration Session. Learn more or sign up.
  • 5pm to 7pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup, Highway 5 N @28th/National Ave. Learn more or sign up by selecting the 11/22 date on the calendar.

November 23

November 24

November 26

November 28

  • 8am to 10am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.

November 29

Monthly/Ongoing or On Your Own Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events

  • Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – San Diego River Park Foundation River Assessment Field Teams (RAFT). Learn more or sign up.
  • Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – San Dieguito River Park Dust Devils Habitat and Trail Restoration Events – Inland and Coastal Trails. Learn more.
  • Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8am to 11am – San Diego River Park Foundation River Rescue Cleanups. Learn more or sign up.
  • San Diego Canyonlands Cleanup and Restoration Events. Times and locations vary. See November event calendar to learn more.
  • San Diego Surfrider Foundation Ongoing Solo Cleanups. Learn more.
  • Coastkeeper San Diego Six Cleanup Challenge, Flexible Dates/Times. Learn more and see list of challenge sites.
  • ILACSD Adopt-A-Beach/Adopt-A Canyon Program, Flexible Dates/Flexible Times – Adopt a beach or canyon and lead independent cleanups on your schedule. Learn more and adopt a location.

Landscape & Gardening Events

November Landscape and Garden Events  2024

 

University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Healthy Garden-Healthy Home Community Workshops – The following workshops will be offered in November 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.  Learn more about each of the events here.

  • November 1, 1pm to 2:30pm – How to Grow a Salsa Garden! – Learn the proper planting for a healthier backyard salsa garden and tips for controlling common pests and diseases. Learn more or register.
  • November 8, 1pm to 2:30pm – Save Water & Money, Irrigation and Water Runoff Management Workshop – Learn how to evaluate your irrigation systems, avoid runoff, and prevent erosion issues. Learn more or register.

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – The following events will be offered in November.

  • November 7, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – 2024 Naturehood Monthly Webinars – Rooted in Health: The Dirt on Soil for California Native Plants – Learn the essential role of healthy soil in thriving California native plant gardens. Topics include tips for improving soil health, supporting native ecosystems, and setting your garden up for long-term success from the ground up. Learn more or register.
  • November 11, 7pm to 8:30pm – Reliable California Native Plants for a Garden with NO Irrigation Online Event (Part 2 of 2) – This is a continuation of a popular talk about transforming a large patch of soil into a Meadowlands Garden comprised of 95% California native plants with a collection of about 240 species and cultivars. Learn more and access Part 1 of this talk.

University of California (UC) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – The following events will be offered in November.

  • November 12, 8am to 5pm (SPANISH); November 15, 8am to 5pm (ENGLISH) – 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.
  • November 19, 9am 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.
  • November 21, 12pm to 1pm – Urban & Community Webinar Series – Rat Management – Learn about the latest advances and effective strategies for managing rats in residential areas and landscapes. Learn more or register.

San Diego Botanic Garden Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in November, 10am to 12pm – 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 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 November. Dates and times vary. Hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency – Learn about irrigation systems, programming controllers, why to choose drip over spray, and easy ways to conserve water.

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.


Waste Reduction Events

November Waste Reduction 2024 Events

 

City of Chula Vista – Free Compost Event – November 2, 8am to 1pm – In appreciation of the community’s efforts to recycle yard and food waste, City of Chula Vista residents are invited to pick up free compost. Bring shovels for loading, containers to fill, and don’t forget the tarps to cover your compost! Learn more.


The Living Coast Discovery Center – The following composting events will be offered in November.

  • 3 de noviembre, 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.
  • November 10 and 17, 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 November 10th and 17th workshops.
  • November 24, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Vermicomposting Workshop Learn how to build and care for your own worm bin. Learn more or register.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business events will be offered in November.

  • November 6, 6pm to 7pm – Preventing Food Waste at Home Webinar – Learn practical solutions for reducing food waste in your home and discuss how incorporating these practices into your daily life can be a great way to help the environment. Topics include the impacts of food waste, how to divert food waste from the landfill, and tips for buying only what you need. Funded by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
  • November 6 through 8 – Food Recovery Inspection Training Webinar: California SB1383 Compliance 2024 ($895 fee; discount for CRRA members) – In this 2-part webinar (over 3 days), experts will present deep insights into the Edible Food Recovery aspect of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act SB 1383, in which food businesses donate 100% of surplus edible food that would otherwise be disposed of. Registrants who attend all 3 days of the training will receive a certificate of completion. Learn more or register.
    • November 6, 9am to 12pm – Part 1: Fundamentals of SB1383 Food Recovery - Compliance Overview. Learn about relevant aspects of the law and edible food rescue requirements. Topics include the impetus behind the law and overview of regulations, edible food recovery requirements and programming, and donation guidelines, liability and tax benefits. This webinar addresses various perspectives including jurisdictions, food-generating businesses, food recovery organizations, haulers, and residents.
    • November 7 and 8, 9am to 1pm – Part 2: Inspection Training for Food Recovery - All You Need to Begin Tomorrow. Receive comprehensive training for conducting edible food recovery inspections in the commercial sector. Topics include step-by-step guidance for conducting edible food recovery inspections at businesses and food recovery organizations, including a discussion of common stumbling blocks for each sector.
  • November 9, 10am to 12pm – Raising Backyard Chickens Workshop – Bates Nut Farm – Learn the basics and benefits of raising backyard chickens and how they can produce high-quality eggs, reduce waste, protect your garden from pests, and help save you money. Topics include local regulations for keeping backyard chickens, basic requirements for making a home sweet chicken home, keeping hens healthy, and local and online resources. Funded by the County of San Diego. Site host Bates Nut Farms. Learn more or register.
  • November 12, 10am to 11am – Gardening Practices that Save Water Workshop – Valley Center – Learn how to create a less thirsty and more environmentally-friendly landscape. Topics include climate-appropriate planting, efficient irrigation management, and use of mulch and compost for water conservation. Funded by the County of San Diego Department of Public Works. Site host Dos Valles Garden Club. Residents of unincorporated San Diego Countywill receive a FREE kitchen scraps container too, courtesy of the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
  • November 13, 6pm to 7pm – Manure Composting for Ranchers & Farmers Webinar – Learn how composting livestock manure can help save you money, conserve water, enrich your soil, reduce pests, and prevent pollution in waterways. Topics include local requirements, the benefits of composting, incorporating manure into compost piles, preventing odors and flies, and protecting local water sources. Funded by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
  • November 16, 10am to 11am – Rain Barrel & Water Harvesting Workshop for City of San Diego Residents – Learn about the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection at this workshop designed for City of San Diego residents. Topics include an installation demonstration, downspout and rain chain connections, rain barrel maintenance and emptying practices, and rebates for City of San Diego residents. Webinar funded by Think Blue San Diego. Site host Mountain View Community Center. Discounted rain barrels available for City of San Diego residents. Learn more or register.
  • November 16, 10am to 11am – Green Living Tour ($5 suggested donation) – Learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle with 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, tool lending library, and more. Learn more or register.
  • November 16, 11am to 1pm – All About Composting with Worms Workshop – El Cajon – Learn about the benefits of vermicomposting (composting with worms) and turning food waste into nutrient-rich castings for your garden. Topics include appropriate tools and materials, steps to start a vermicompost bin, how to feed your worms, maintaining your worm bin, and using finished castings. Funded by the County of San Diego. Site location The Water Conservation Garden. Learn more or register.
  • November 20 – 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, November 8th for the Wednesday, November 20th Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.

UCCE Master Gardener Association of San Diego – San Diego County Operations Center Lunch & Learn Series – Worm Composting – November 6, 12pm to 12:30pm – The Master Gardeners will do a half-hour presentation open to the public on various gardening and waste reduction topics. November’s topic will be on worm composting. They will convene at the demonstration garden at the center of the County Operations Center. Learn more.


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.


SD Environmental Services One-Day Collection Event – City of San Diego – November 16, 9am to 1pm – A household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event will be held at Vista Del Mar School (north parking lot), 4885 Del Sol Blvd, San Diego. Learn more.


San Diego Fixit Clinics – At these Fix-It Clinics, you’ll 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. Clinics hosted by Zero Waste San Diego with the help of many other zero waste partners.


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.


Stormwater Pollution Prevention & Education

November Pollution Prevention Events 2024

 

The Living Coast Discovery Center – Bilingual Sweetwater Safari Hike – November 2, 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, salt marsh ecosystem, and plants and wildlife thriving in this protected space. Learn more or sign up.


El Living Coast Discovery Center – Caminata Safari de Sweetwater Bilingüe – 2 de noviembre, 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.


Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) – Junior Rangers Program Ongoing Kids’ Educational Event – Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm – 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 November 7th, 14th, or 21st dates.


Center for Watershed Protection – 2024 Webcast Series: Webcast 9 – Green Infrastructure – November 20, 1pm EDT ($159 fee non-member) – This webcast will cover two discussions on green infrastructure and stormwater management. Note the time on the website is posted as Eastern Time. Scroll to webcast 9 to learn more or register.


Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – The following programs will be offered in November.

  • Discovery Fall Camp 2024: Dig Into Fall – November 25 through 27, 9am to 3pm ($$ fees vary) – Science and nature Discovery Camps feature hands-on educational lessons around a central theme designated for that camp week. All camps take place outdoors in our Nature Nodes, and are filled with nature walks, animal interactions, and crafts. Camp groups are split by age ranges and capped at 12 campers per group with 1 teacher. This camp is for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Learn more or register.
  • Preschool Playdates Program ($$ 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 November topic being Thankful for Fall. Learn more or register.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – 12th Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge Launch – Registration January 2nd through January 31st, 2025; Entries due April 22nd, 2025 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water has launched the 12th 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.


BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Find My District

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

 


WRP_Logo_White

 

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


New Project Clean Water


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. 

To learn more about the County of San Diego - Watershed Protection Program, please visit sandiegocounty.gov/stormwater