Protection: Initiatives that help our communities and ecosystems thrive

January 25, 2024

At Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, we center our work around four pillars: protection, conservation, education, and innovation. Each pillar provides the structure needed to fully address the impacts of climate change in the San Diego region: –Protection, or the safeguarding of the rights of humans and living things to healthy environments with sufficient natural resources; –Conservation, or the…

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SB 1383 Update: Organics Recycling Compliance Enforcement Changes in 2024

January 23, 2024

Senate Bill 1383, or the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction law, requires that businesses implement programs to ensure organic materials are no longer put in the trash, with edible food being donated and the rest sorted for organic waste recycling. Before the start of 2024, jurisdictions were required to visit Tier One and Tier Two (see…

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Winter Quarterly Newsletter – 2023

December 1, 2023

Dear Eco-Stewards, As the winter season arrives, we are looking forward to several exciting educational events, including the On-Farm Composting Course starting in January in Ramona and the ever-popular Master Composter Course starting in February in Escondido. These courses only happen once a year, so grab your spot now if you’ve been waiting for your chance to participate! Secondly, thank you to all…

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Frugal Ways to Reduce Your Climate Footprint

November 22, 2023

In the age of Teslas, solar panels, and buying organic, it can feel like sustainable choices are only for the rich. But the facts show otherwise, with the “wealthiest 1% of people in the world putting out as much carbon pollution as the poorest two-thirds,” according to a November 2023 Oxfam report. Generally, working class…

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Borrow an Induction Cooktop at Solana Center!

September 29, 2023

Induction cooking does not emit fumes, protecting you and your household from dangerous carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and more. It also uses less energy and heats & cools more quickly than either gas and standard electric stoves. Solana Center now offers induction cooktop loaners as part of the San Diego Green Building Council’s Electric Home Cooktop…

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Fall Quarterly Newsletter – 2023

September 1, 2023

Dear neighbors, If you were one of the many people who made a last-minute rain barrel purchase, I’m sure your barrels filled during the recent storms! 🌧 Store Notes: Solana Center’s store will be closed tomorrow, September 2nd for the Labor Day weekend. Our batteries and lightbulb recycling program is closed until further notice due to difficulty with the City of Encinitas’ hauler…

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Climate Solutions: Find Tools for Your Environmental Journey!

August 2, 2023

Visit our Climate Solutions Resource Center in Encinitas, CA where we offer accessible environmental resources and programming.  Each of us can take climate action by starting where we are with what we have. We provide sparks for climate action around the following concepts: (Explore more in our Climate Solutions Map!) Food Waste Prevention Preventing food…

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Summer Quarterly Newsletter – 2023

June 1, 2023

Dear Friends, Summer in San Diego means a slew of natural wonders. Least Terns, an endangered subspecies, migrate to Mission Bay, the Santa Margarita River Mouth, and other select spots from April through September. In July, the world’s largest gathering of leopard sharks will appear off of the coast of La Jolla. August 12 – 13, we can…

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Pre-Composting Appliances: Do They Work?

May 16, 2023

We get questions about pre-composting appliances often these days. Our verdict: While food scrap dryers and grinders can do amazing things, they cannot make compost in less than several months’ time. They are also not the most effective way to reduce your environmental footprint at home. The Dirt on Countertop “Composters” There are several kitchen…

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