Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Receives a Three-Star Rating on Charity Navigator

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency have earned it a Three-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. This rating designates Solana Center as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity…

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Climate Solutions: Worm Bedding

Question: Why do I need bedding in my worm bin? Is it okay if I just give the worms my food scraps? Answer: Bedding, which can be made of shredded paper, coconut coir, cured manure, or dry leaves, is an absolute necessity in your worm bin. Supplying your wiggly workers with bedding has a number…

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Toast to Compost 2024

June 23rd, 2024: A great time was had by all at our annual Toast to Compost volunteer appreciation party! We gathered at the Center for brunch, games, and special recognition. We are so grateful to ALL of you who give generously of your time and skills to make the work we do possible.

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2024 Press

San Diego Union-Tribune: Encinitas businesses celebrate sustainability with green ribbon cutting, November 2024 Spectrum News: California textile recycling bill moves forward, September 2024 Del Mar Times: Solana Center and Sen. Blakespear to hold virtual ‘solving single-use plastics’ event, July 2024 The Coast News: Solana Center challenges EPA’s food waste model, June 2024 Encinitas Advocate: Solana Center hosts…

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Top Three Reasons to Become a Master Composter

Blog Post by Master Composter Graduate, Tammy Churchill.  When I registered for the Master Composter Course in early 2020, I did not have much experience composting, as my neglected passive pile would gladly attest. Composting was something I was interested in: I’d moved into a new house with plenty of room for growing vegetables, and…

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Summer Quarterly Newsletter – 2024

Dear friend of the Earth, Do you work for or manage a food-generating business? Check out our FREE food waste prevention webinar TODAY from 2 – 3 p.m. to learn how you can safely donate food and send inedible food to be composted or anaerobically digested. Plus, the average food-generating business saves money by investing in food loss and…

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Climate Solutions: Save Water This Summer With Compost!

In Southern California, it is critical that we conserve water. A great way to tackle the water challenge is to incorporate compost into your summer garden and landscape. In addition to providing valuable nutrients, compost has been proven to increase soil’s water retention capacity. Here are a couple of ways to incorporate compost into your garden…

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How Do Tumbler Compost Bins Work?

Tumblers are composting bins that are manually flipped, spun, rolled or crank-turned for aeration, depending on the style. These bins do not require turning with a pitchfork or auger, instead, the entire compost bin is turned for aeration. There are several variations on this theme. Spinning Tumbler This tumbler is spun around a central axis.…

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Climate Solutions: How to Manage Weeds Without Toxic Chemicals

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Before discussing how to eliminate weeds, there are some common weeds that are both edible and nutritious. Harvesting free greens from our gardens is one way to approach the plants we did not intend to have in our…

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Climate Solutions: What Is the Right Moisture Content for My Worm Bin?

Moisture content is very important when composting with worms. This is because your red wigglers breathe through their skin and need appropriate moisture to do so. Often times the materials you add will give your bin moisture, but you will likely still need to add water to obtain the appropriate amount (especially with warmer weather).…

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