Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events
September 2025
We all play a part in preventing stormwater pollution. Here are some ways to get involved in September 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, Think Blue San Diego, Project Clean Water, 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, Friends of Rose Creek, Friends of Famosa Slough, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, California State Parks Foundation, City of San Diego, City of La Mesa, City of Chula Vista, ASCENDtials, San Diego Bird Alliance, Preserve Calavera, and Keep America Beautiful.
September 2
September 4
September 5
September 6
September 7
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10:15am to 11:30am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Black’s Beach Cleanup Event. Learn more here. To register, click on the ‘check availability’ button and select the 9/7 date.
September 9
September 11
September 12
September 13
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8:30am to 12:30pm – California State Parks Foundation Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Cleanup. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 11am – ILACSD and City of La Mesa Litter Free La Mesa: Riviera Drive Neighborhood Cleanup. Learn more or register.
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9am to 11am – Friends of Rose Creek Native Plant Garden Work Party & Biodiversity Science Project. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 12pm – Friends of Famosa Slough Habitat Restoration Work Party. Learn more or register.
September 14
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10:15am to 11:30am – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Silver Strand Beach Cleanup Event. Learn more here. To register, click on the ‘check availability’ button and select the 9/14 date.
September 16
September 17
September 18
September 19
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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 Session for Long-term Volunteers. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – San Diego Bird Alliance and Friends of Rose Creek – Rose Creek Habitat Restoration. Learn more or RSVP.
September 20
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8:30am to 10am – Preserve Calavera El Corazon Restoration. Learn more or RSVP.
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9am to 11am – San Diego Coastkeeper California Coastal Cleanup Day – Otay Valley Regional Park. Learn more or register.
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9am to 12pm – ILACSD 41stAnnual Coastal Cleanup Day. Registration opens August 25. Sponsored in partnership with local partners Think Blue San Diego, County of San Diego, Project Clean Water, and many more. Learn more or register.
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9am to 12pm – TRNERR International Coastal Cleanup Day. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 12pm – Coastal Cleanup Day at Rose Creek. Learn more or sign up.
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10am to 12pm – Surfrider Foundation Imperial Beach Cleanup. Learn more or register.
September 21
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12:15pm to 2pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup Event – Coronado Route 75. Learn more here. To register, click on the ‘check availability’ button and select the 9/21 date.
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12:15pm to 1:30pm – ASCENDtials Climate Cares Highway Cleanup at 5/Mission Bay Beach Club. Learn more here. To register, click on the ‘check availability’ button and select the 9/21 date.
September 23
September 25
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8am to 10am – The San Diego River Park Foundation Grant Park Community Stewards. Learn more or sign up.
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9am to 11am – Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Trail Cleanup Event - Garfield Street Trailhead. Learn more or sign up.
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 30
Monthly/Ongoing or On Your Own Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events:
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) – Naturehood Monthly Gardening Webinar: Biodiversity of Native Plants – September 4, 5:30pm to 6:30pm – Discover how native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems and how your containers, garden, parkway, or community space can help protect California’s incredible biodiversity. This talk will explore the connections between native plants, wildlife, and ecosystem resilience, with practical tips for the plants that work for your space. Learn more or sign up.
University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – The following events will be offered in September.
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September 6, 10am to 11:30am – Healthy Garden-Healthy Home Hybrid Community Workshop – Starting to Grow Your Own Food? Win the Battle Against Pests: Healthy Gardening – Learn how to keep your plants healthy, prevent pests, and understand that good bugs and bad bugs are a part of every garden. Zoom and in-person options. In-person workshop location: San Diego County Operations Center, Suite 201, 9335 Hazard Way.
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September 9, 9am to 4:30pm (ENGLISH); September 23, 9am 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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September 18, 12pm to 1pm – Urban & Community Webinar Series – When Wildlife Become Pests – Learn how to identify, prevent, and manage common negative human-wildlife interactions and pest problems. Learn more or register.
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September 24, 3pm to 4pm – UC Ag Experts Talk Webinar Series – Pest Management in Alfalfa, Small Grains, and Garbanzo Beans – Learn about the principles of IPM and pest management in alfalfa, small grains, and garbanzo beans. For each crop the discussion will cover key weeds, insect pests, and pathogens including prevention, monitoring, management, and considerations in field diagnosis. Learn more or register.
Alta Vista Botanical Garden – Kids in the Garden Classes – September 13, 10am to 12pm ($5 fee, includes entry to the Garden) – Kids and their families are invited to attend Saturday classes featuring hands-on activities, conservation lessons, and tours of the gardens. Topics vary by month with September’s theme being 5 Senses & Nature Games. Learn more or pre-register with Farmer Jones at farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com.
University of California Master Gardener Association of San Diego Fall Plant Sale – Balboa Park – September 20, 9am to 3pm – Attend Master Gardner’s traditional plant sale including California natives, birdhouses, garden art, tool care, and more. There will also be talks and demonstrations. Learn more.
The Water Conservation Garden – 2025 Fall Water-Wise Landscape Workshop – Living with Fire: Water-Wise Native Landscapes for Beauty and Practicality – September 27, 10am to 12:30pm – Join landscape architect Greg Rubin for the latest protocols for creating beautiful yet functional native landscapes in fire-prone areas. Presentation includes practical information, case-history photos, and analysis. Sponsored by the County of San Diego Water Protection Program. Learn more or register.
Landscape and Water-Savings Webinars – A series of landscape and water-savings webinars will be offered in September hosted by various regional water agencies. Dates and times vary. All events will be virtual and free unless otherwise noted.
The following topics will be hosted by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. See calendar and learn more or register:
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Garden Design Workshop – September 6, 10am to 11:45am (in-person, Escondido) – Learn how to identify critical steps for successfully designing a watershed-wise landscape. Topics include creating a successful planting plan, developing a palette of climate-appropriate plants, and sizing and siting the rainwater capture area.
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California Friendly Native Plant Landscape Training – Learn how to design a yard using the four principles of gorgeous and watershed-wise landscaping. Topics include building healthy soil, capturing rainwater, selecting climate-appropriate and native plants, and use of high-efficiency irrigation.
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Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach – Learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful, sustainable, and water-efficient landscape. Topics include selecting climate-appropriate plant palettes, planning a new landscape that thrives with less water, and exploring sustainable landscape techniques, functions, turf removal options and rebates.
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Roots to Rain: Water for Your Garden – Learn how to use best management practices for capturing rainwater in the landscape using both passive and active methods. Topics include choosing the right rainwater capture method for your landscape, siting and sizing rain gardens for optimal performance, maintenance tips and troubleshooting common issues, and managing overflow to prevent erosion and flooding.
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Drip Irrigation: Maintenance & Troubleshooting – Learn how to keep your landscape thriving by making your drip irrigation system more efficient and reliable. Topics include understanding soil moisture balance, identifying key drip system components, reviewing common problems with drip systems and how to avoid them, and developing a successful maintenance routine.
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Irrigation & Controller Basics: Smart Watering – Learn how to optimize water use, improve plant health, and reduce runoff by understanding the relationship between soil, water, and system performance. Topics include an overview and basics of irrigation systems, typical irrigation problems and troubleshooting, weather-based controllers, programming essentials, and more.
The following topics will be hosted by California American Water. See calendar and learn more or register:
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Wild Wonderful World of Succulents – Learn where and how to use succulents in the landscape, soil and watering requirements, how to propagate or divide succulents, and maintenance strategies.
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Resilient Alternatives to Removing Turf – Learn about watershed-wise alternative groundcover options for greater resiliency and soil health and step-by-step process to accomplish the transition. Additional topics include the importance of polycultures and diversity, opportunities for rainwater capture, and managing limited irrigation.
San Diego Botanic Garden Monthly SAPLinGS Sessions – Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in September, 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.
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.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources – Ask a UC Master Food Preserver Live Q&A Webinar – September 3, 7pm to 8pm – A panel of volunteers specializing in freezing, dehydrating, canning and food safety will be available to answer your questions. They will also share their tips so you can safely and successfully preserve food at home. Learn more or register.
I Love a Clean San Diego – City of La Mesa Clothing and Accessories Swap – September 6, 10am to 1pm – Bring your gently-used clothes, accessories, and shoes for a free clothing swap event to learn how to reduce textile waste, gather as a community, and score some pre-loved and new-to-you pieces! Offered in partnership with the City of La Mesa and the La Mesa Library. Learn more.
Residential Waste Reduction Events – The following free waste collection events will be offered in September. See County of San Diego Recycling Events webpage for ongoing events.
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September 13, 8am to 12pm – Republic Services Compost Giveaway Event – Attend this event to receive FREE compost for residents of City of Chula Vista, City of San Diego, and County of San Diego. Open to Republic Services customers only. Site location: Otay Sustainability Park (1700 Maxwell Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91911). Learn more by scrolling to the 2025 Free Compost Events.
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San Diego Fixit Clinics – Learn how to reduce waste by fixing things instead of throwing items away at the following Fix-It Clinics in September. 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. Sponsored by County of San Diego. Clinics hosted by SD Fixit Clinic with the help of many other zero waste partners.
Living Coast Discovery Center – The following composting events will be offered in September.
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7 de septiembre, de 11:30am a 12pm – 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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September 14 and 21, 11:30am to 12:30pm – Sunday Compost Workshops – Learn the basics on how to start your own compost pile by attending these on-site workshops. Pre-recorded Compost Workshop videos are also available. Sponsored by the City of Chula Vista. Learn more or sign up for the September 14th, and 21st workshops.
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September 28, 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 events will be offered in September.
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September 13, 20 and 27; October 4 and 11, 9am-12pm – 5-Week Master Composter Course – Japanese Friendship Garden – San Diego ($25 refundable fee) – Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on composting experience, participants will learn how to make an impact. They will learn how to reduce their carbon footprint, methane emissions, and water use, while using compost to create amendments to their garden. Topics include the microbiology of composting, traditional composting and vermicomposting, Bokashi fermentation, and much more! Residents of City of San Diego will receive preferential registration. Sponsored by the City of San Diego Environmental Services. Site host and location: Japanese Friendship Garden. Learn more or register.
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September 17, 6pm to 7pm – Introduction to Manure Composting Webinar – Learn how to save money and reduce pests by composting your livestock manure. Topics include the basics & benefits of composting, how to incorporate manure into compost piles and prevent odors and flies, local regulations and requirements, and more. Funded by the County of San Diego. Learn more or register.
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September 20, 10am to 11:30am – All About Composting with Worms Workshop - Encinitas – Learn about the benefits of vermicomposting (composting with worms) and the importance of keeping food scraps out of the landfill. Topics include how red wiggler worms can transform food scraps into something new, what worms need to thrive, and what food scraps they like to eat. Funded by the La Jolla Kiwanis. Site location: Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. Learn more or register.
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September 20, 10am to 12pm – Raising Backyard Chickens Workshop - El Cajon – 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 chicken coop, feeding and care to keep hens healthy and happy, and resources. Residents of Unincorporated County of San Diego will receive preferential registration. Funded by the County of San Diego. Site location: San Diego County Library, Crest Branch. Learn more or register.
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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Household Pickup Service ($10 fee for people under 65; free for people 65 and over) – A HHW pick-up service is being offered to residents in San Diego County. Accepted items include electronic waste, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes, batteries, fuel, smoke detectors, cleaning products, paint and more. Call to confirm what is accepted. 125 pounds or 15 gallons (whichever one comes first) can be picked up at one time. Call CleanEarth at 800-714-1195 to schedule a pickup and confirm what items are accepted. Learn more.
South Bay Sustainable Communities Network – Monthly Compost Pile Turnings – Various days, timeslots, and cities – Attend these monthly turnings of South Bay Sustainable Communities Network 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.
San Diego Coastkeeper – Seaside Soiree Annual Gala and Fundraiser, Birch Aquarium at Scripps – September 11, 6pm to 9pm ($$ ticket prices vary) – The evening will feature private access to the Birch Aquarium’s interactive exhibits, special guest speakers, a gourmet dinner with hosted bar, and the opportunity to network with fellow ocean enthusiasts. Learn more or purchase tickets.
Nature Collective – San Elijo Lagoon Discovery Tour – September 6, 10am to 11:30am – Get a guided tour of the salt marsh, mudflats and native plants of the San Elijo Lagoon. Learn more or reserve your spot.
San Diego Coastkeeper - Watershed Watch, Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program – Be part of a team of passionate individuals interested in protecting our waterways. Join San Diego Coastkeeper’s Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program and participate in monthly field days to collect water samples at ten sites in Mission Bay. The following events will be offered in September.
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) – Junior Rangers Program Ongoing Kids’ Educational Event – Saturdays 11am to 12pm – Kids ages 8 through 12 are invited to take part in discovering the rich heritage preserved in parks. They will participate in hands-on activities and can earn awards such as pins, certificates, and patches as they progress through the program! Learn more by clicking on the September 6th, 13th, 20th or 27th dates.
Paddle for Peace 2025 Sea & Soul Summit, September 12 through 14 – San Diego/La Jolla ($499 fee) – The Sea & Soul Summit is a 3-day healing retreat for BIPOC outdoor lovers, nature connectors, and ocean dreamers. The goal is to cultivate a space for healing, empowerment, and community connection through dynamic ocean-centric activities. Events include ocean adventures, wellness practices, and cultural workshops. Check-in and welcome dinner on September 11. Learn more or register.
Buena Vista Audubon – The following events will be offered in September:
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September 14, 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 11:00am. Learn more.
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September 22, 10am to 10:45am – 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, fun craft, and special theme each month. Learn more.
Surfrider San Diego – ‘The Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ Film Screening and Panel Discussion – San Diego – September 17, 4:30pm to 7:30pm – Attend this film screening highlighting Captain Charles Moore and his team’s expedition into the vast plastic accumulation zone in the Pacific Ocean. Discussion features Captain Moore and local experts. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions. Learn more or sign up.
Center for Watershed Protection – 2025 Webcast Series: Webcast 7 – September 17, 1pm EDT ($159 fee non-member) – Note the time on the website is posted as Eastern Time. Scroll to webcast 7 to learn more or register.
Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Docent-Led Lagoon Walks – Life & Death at the Lagoon – September 20, 10am to 11:30am – Coastal estuaries are the scene of intense daily dramas of survival, featuring a cast of hundreds of species. Much of it is microscopic and underwater. Come for a 90-minute docent-led nature walk to learn about these life and death struggles. Learn more.
Buena Vista Audubon – Buena Vista Creek Habitat Restoration Planning Project Workshop – September 23, 5:30pm to 7:30 pm – Join the City of Oceanside and BVAS at a community workshop to learn more about the Buena Vista Creek Restoration Project and give your feedback. Site location: Oceanside Salvation Army, 3935 Lake Blvd. Learn more.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – Preschool Playdates Outdoor Program – Daily program Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm ($$ 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 September topic being California Adventure. Learn more or register.
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