Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
MARCH 2025
We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in March 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 help 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, The San Diego River Park Foundation, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR), San Diego Canyonlands, San Dieguito River Park, San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, Friends of Ruffin Canyon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, California State Parks Foundation, Green Oceanside, Clean California, City of Carlsbad, City of Chula Vista, City of La Mesa, Recycle for Veterans, and Nature Collective.
March 1
March 4
March 6
March 7
March 8
March 11
March 13
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8am to 10am – The San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
March 14
March 15
March 18
March 19
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8am to 12pm – The San Diego River Park Foundation Preserve Stewards at Eagle Peak Preserve. Learn more or sign up.
March 19
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8:30am to 11:30am – City of Carlsbad Trail Cleanup – Harbor Drive Trail. Learn more.
March 20
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9am to 11am – Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Trail Cleanup Event – Garfield Street Trailhead. Learn more or sign up.
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8am to 10am – The San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
March 21
March 22
March 27
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8am to 10am – The San Diego River Park Foundation River Center Care Team at Grant Park. Learn more or sign up.
March 28
March 29
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9am to 11am – ILACSD Litter Free La Mesa: Alvarado Avenue and Stormwater Channel Neighborhood Cleanup. Learn more or register.
Monthly/Ongoing or On Your Own Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
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Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – The San Diego River Park Foundation River Assessment Field Teams (RAFT). Learn more or sign up.
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Tuesdays and Fridays, 9am to 12pm – San Dieguito River Park Dust Devils Habitat and Trail Restoration Events – Inland and Coastal Trails. Learn more.
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Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8am to 11am – The San Diego River Park Foundation River Rescue Cleanups. Learn more or sign up.
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San Diego Canyonlands Cleanup and Restoration Events. Times and locations vary. See March 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.
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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.
UCCE Master Gardener Association of San Diego – The following events will be offered in March.
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March 1-31, 10am to 4pm – Master Gardener (MG) Demonstration Gardens at Carlsbad Flower Fields – Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions including garden planning, watering, pest control, and anything garden related. Learn more by clicking any of the daily calendar links.
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March 8, 8am to 12pm – Free Community Seed Swap and Plant Sale –Valley Center— Looking to update your garden and/or share extra seeds with fellow gardeners? Come to this Free Seed Swap and Plant Sale! Bring all your gardening questions to be answered by a UCCE certified Master Gardener. Learn more here.
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March 22, 9am to 3pm – 2025 Master Gardener Spring Event -Escondido-Join Master Gardeners for a day of gardening inspiration. The event includes shops, demonstrations, workshops, free tool sharpening and connecting with other gardening enthusiasts. Site location: Sikes Adobe Farmstead, Escondido. Learn more here.
California Native Plant Society – The following events will be offered in March.
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March 6, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – March 2025 Naturehood Webinar – Attend this quarterly webinar on native plant gardening. Learn more or register.
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March 15, 10am to 3pm – Mount Helix Park Foundation Family Nature Day –– Attend the day to experience over 20 nature-minded non-profits, food, animals, activities, native plant sale, butterfly release, and more. Learn more.
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March 30, 2pm – 21st Annual California Native Plant Garden Tour – Oceanside Coastal Neighborhood – Over 18 Native Plant Gardens will be on display throughout the historic seaside neighborhood in downtown Oceanside during this free guided 1.5-mile walking tour. Offered in partnership with the Buena Vista Audubon Society & Oceanside Coastal Neighborhood Association. Learn more.
The Water Conservation Garden – Free 2025 County Workshops – The following workshops will be offered in March sponsored by the County of San Diego.
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March 8, 10am to 11am – That’s Swale! 102 – Join Eric Saline of Wild Made Design Learn how to slow, spread, and sink water into your landscape through various earthwork applications like swales and basins with landscape professionals. Before you install plants, rain tanks, and grey water systems, be sure your landscape is designed to handle and harvest as much water as possible – passively. This workshop will be held during Tomatomania! (March 7th and 8th) Learn more or register.
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March 29, 9:30am to 11am – Planting Slopes for Beauty, Stability and Resiliency – Join Master Gardener Debby Dunn in learning how to transform your garden into a lush, low-water pollinator haven using the right plants. Topics include what to plant, where to plant it, and why with a special emphasis on hillside planting. Irrigation, stormwater runoff, and healthy soil topics will also be discussed. Learn more or register.
Alta Vista Botanical Garden – Kids in the Garden Classes – March 8, 10am to 12pm (plus two afternoon classes) – ($5 fee, includes entry to the Garden) – Kids and their families are invited to attend Saturday classes featuring hands-on activities, incredible edibles, conservation lessons, and tours of the gardens. Topics vary by month with March’s theme being Tree Citrus. Learn more or pre-register with Farmer Jones at farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com.
University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – The following events will be offered in March.
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March 11, 8am to 4:30pm (ENGLISH); March 25, 8am to 4:30pm (SPANISH) – Pesticide Safety Zoom Workshop, Instructor Training (fee $300) – The Train the Trainer workshop will qualify participants to train fieldworkers and pesticide handlers under CA pesticide regulations. Learn more or register.
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March 19, 3pm to 4pm – UC Ag Experts Talk – Considerations for Cover Crops and Weed Management – Get an overview of both summer and winter cover crop management for optimized weed control from Sarah E. Light, Agronomy Farm Advisor with UCCE, Sutter-Yuba County. Topics include potential herbicide savings from reduced application, risks when termination goes wrong and weed management considerations when implementing cover crops. Learn more or register.
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March 20, 12pm to 1pm – Urban & Community Webinar Series – What Are You Wearing? Basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Pesticide Safety – Learn the basic PPE you should always wear when using pesticides and where you can find PPE requirements for the pesticide product you are using. Learn more or register.
Water Efficient Landscape Dual Certification Program – March 20, 27 and April 3, 8am to 3pm – The California Landscape Contractors Association, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, San Diego County Water Authority, and the City of Oceanside Water Utilities now offer a one-of-a-kind certification and educational opportunity for landscape professionals in Southern California. This joint effort combines the CLCA Water Management Certification Program with the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program to offer the landscape industry an opportunity to obtain two nationally recognized EPA WaterSense Professional Certifications with one course and one written test. These workshops are free and available only to those in select counties of Southern California within the Metropolitan Water District’s service area. Registration closes March 20th. Site location: Oceanside. Learn more or register.
San Diego Botanic Garden – The following events will be offered in March.
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Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in March, 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 with March’s topic being Birding in the Garden. Science activities engage kids with cool hands-on learning that stimulates curiosity. Art activities focus on projects that spark the imagination. Learn more.
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March 22, 10am to 12:30pm – Healthy Day Workshops – Grow Your Own Food – Learn how to grow your own food garden in small spaces. Topics include planting your own organic seedlings, preserving food to reduce food waste, crafting simple, tasty recipes using fresh bounty from the garden, and touring the Incredible Edibles food garden at San Diego Botanic Garden. Refundable $10 deposit to reserve seat. Learn more or register.
Landscape and Water-Savings Webinars – A series of landscape and water-savings webinars will be offered in March. Dates and times vary. Hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register.
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March 1 9am to 10am - Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency (NOTE: IN PERSON – Baldwin Park) – Learn about irrigation systems, programming controllers, why to choose drip over spray, and easy ways to conserve water.
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March 4 & March 25 6pm to 7pm – 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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March 5 9am to 12pm - Conventional Gardens: The Unconventional Watershed Wise Landscape – Learn how to transform existing ‘conventional’ gardens into thriving, resilient landscapes. Topics include using key management practices to improve and maintain healthy landscapes; caring for traditional ornamental plants; creating a more drought tolerant polyculture lawn, managing limited irrigation as efficiently as possible, and protecting trees and shrubs in times of drought. Co-hosted by Southern California Gas Company.
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March 5 & March 20 6pm to 7pm - 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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March 6 & March 26 6pm to 7pm - 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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March 12 6pm to 7:30pm - 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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March 13 & March 27 6pm to 7pm - 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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March 18 6pm to 7pm - Drip Irrigation Essentials – 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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March 19 6pm to 7:30pm - Garden Design Workshop (NOTE: IN PERSON – Oceanside) – 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. Site location: Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Rooms.
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 March.
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2 de marzo, 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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March 9, 16 and 23, 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 Compost Workshop videos are also available. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more or sign up for the March 9th, 16th and 23rd
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March 30, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Vermicomposting Workshop – Learn how to build and care for your own worm bin. Learn more or register.
Zero Waste San Diego – The following Zero Waste events will be offered in March.
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San Diego Fix-It Clinics – 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.
Cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove – Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event – March 8, All Day (by appointment – 9am to 12:45pm). 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.
SD Environmental Services One-Day Collection Event – City of San Diego – March 15, 9am to 1pm – A household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event will be held at San Diego Miramar College, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego. Learn more.
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) – The following waste reduction events will be provided in March.
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March 19, 10am to 12pm – Slow Down Swap Party at the Serra Mesa Food Pantry – Join I Love A Clean San Diego for a FREE clothing swapat the Serra Mesa Food Pantry! Let’s slow down our consumption, slow down for the day, and exchange some clothing and accessories. There is a donation limit of one grocery bag, but anyone is free to bring home a new outfit. Site Location: Serra Mesa Food Pantry. Learn more.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – The following residential and business events will be offered in March.
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March 1, 10am to 12pm – Backyard Composting Basics Workshop – Bonita – Learn the basics of traditional backyard composting including the benefits of composting, bin options, and how to build a compost pile. Funded by the County of San Diego. Site location and host Sweetwater Community Garden. Learn more or register.
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March 15, 22, 29, April 5 and 12th 9am-12pm – 5-Week Master Composter Course – El Cajon – ($25 fee) – With this 5-week composting course you can learn how to reduce your carbon footprint, methane emissions, and water use. Also, how to avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, create natural, nutrient-rich soil amendments, and improve water retention. Topics include in-depth traditional composting and the basics of vermicomposting, the microbiology of composting, a tour with Water Conservation Garden’s composting exhibit, and much more! Only registrations from residents of Unincorporated County of San Diego will be accepted. Sponsored by the County of San Diego Department of Public Works. Site location: The Water Conservation Garden. Learn more or register.
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March 19 – 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, March 14th for the Wednesday, March 19th Urban Corps will contact you to confirm pick-up. Offered in partnership with Urban Corps. Learn more or sign up.
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March 23, 1pm to 4pm –Zero Waste Textile Expo 2025 – This event serves to educate the community about the impact of clothing and textile waste, and the move towards sustainable models in fashion. Some features include interactive activities on how you can be a part of the solution, clothing swap, crafting, and a San Diego Fix-It Clinic. This event is a partnership between San Diego Fix It Clinic and Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, funded in part by the City of Encinitas, and Sponsored by EDCO. Site location: Encinitas Community and Senior Center. Learn more or register.
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 the bottom of home page to check calendar for hub locations and dates.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – The following programs will be offered in March.
Daily program Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm – Preschool Playdates Outdoor 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. Early release options are available at 1pm, 3pm, and 4pm. Topics vary by month with the March topic being And Then It’s Spring. Learn more or register
El Living Coast Discovery Center – Caminata Safari de Sweetwater Bilingüe – Los sábados 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 regístrese.
The Living Coast Discovery Center – Sweetwater Safari Hike Series – Saturdays, 11:30am to 12pm – Join the Center every Saturday to explore the Sweetwater Marsh Trail on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Here you will learn about the history of the Marsh, salt marsh ecosystem, and plants, and wildlife thriving in this protected space. Learn more or sign up for the March 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th hikes.
Center for Watershed Protection – 2025 Webcast Series: Webcast 3 – Stormwater Funding: Finding Money for Implementation – March 12, 1pm EDT ($159 fee non-member) – Learn how a new City (Millcreek, Utah) funds a stormwater program with an aging and failing infrastructure. Discussion will include the steps taken from studies, public comment, city council presentations and ultimately implementation of a utility fee to fund an entire stormwater program. Note the time on the website is posted as Eastern Time. Scroll to webcast 3 to learn more or register.
Buena Vista Audubon – The following events will be offered in March.
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March 9, 11am to 12:30pm – Kids’ Nature Clubhouse and Trail Exploration –– School-aged children and their families are invited to complete a nature-inspired craft and explore the lagoon trail with a different focus each month. The 1/2 hour trail adventure starts from the Nature Center at 11:30. Learn more.
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March 24, 10am to 11am – Preschool Nature Storytime – Join the Nature Center for nature-themed stories for preschool children, aged 2 ½ to 5 years. There will be a story, songs, a fun craft, and special theme each month. Learn more.
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