Prepare your land for heavy El Niño rains!

When managed poorly, storm water run-off can erode and wash away topsoil that can pollute our waterways with sediment, chemicals, and nutrients. Join us at the Spring Valley Library to learn how to combat these concerns, whether in your small backyard or larger farm or ranch. Solana Center Educator Deanna Milton and guest speaker Craig Kolodge, PhD, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control will explore effective compost application as a means of watershed protection through a case study of the manure composting demonstration site at Ramona's International Equestrian Center. Unincorporated San Diego County residents will receive a ticket to the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon to see their watershed protection features in practice.

About the guest speaker: Craig Kolodge, Ph.D., is the former academic advisor, field plant pathologist and county director for the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in Santa Clara County. He currently serves as the Business Development and Sustainability Manager for San Pasqual Valley Soils. Craig is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and expert in the use of compost-based Sustainable Management Practices (SMPs) for stormwater management and industrial pollution management (Trainer of Record for Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner - QISP statewide program). 

Compost Strategies Discussed

• Mid-scale windrow composting

• Compost, compost socks, and compost blankets

• Water catchment basins and rock interrupters

• Native plantings

Thanks to our host Spring Valley Library

Residents of San Diego are invited to join this free workshop to learn about all the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection. Pre-order a rain barrel for pickup at the distribution event following the hands-on workshop!  

​​This workshop is for City of San Diego residents only and will be detailing rebates and discount programs, how to harvest rainwater in your household, and the best way to use your new rain barrel.

In this workshop we will cover:

• The purpose and the environmental benefits of rain barrels and rain harvesting

• Downspouts, rain chains, and connecting them to your rain barrels

• How to install a rain barrel

• Maintaining your rain barrel

• How to empty rainwater from your barrel for capacity; and

• Rebates & discounts for City of San Diego residents

Discounted rain barrels available for City of San Diego residents:

Discounted rain barrels are SOLD OUT for this event. Rain barrels will not be available for same-day purchase. If you’d like to order discounted rain barrels, follow the instructions below to purchase for a different event.

City of San Diego residents are eligible for discounted rain barrels courtesy of the Think Blue San Diego!* Rain barrels are $30 each for City of San Diego residents after the $75 discount. Rain barrel sales close two weeks before the pickup event to ensure inventory is available. Please check your eligibility here before pre-ordering your rain barrels and selecting a pickup date.

Please contact us with any questions at (760) 436-7986 ext. 700 or at [email protected]. 

*Discounted rain barrels available only while supplies last. Rain barrel discounts available for qualified City of San Diego residents only, limited to two per household. If you have purchased 2 rain barrels through this program since 2023, you are no longer qualified, and additional orders will be cancelled and refunded.

This workshop is funded by Think Blue San Diego.

 Thanks to our host, Linda Vista Rec Center

Are you a backyard farmer with a flock of chickens or a small herd of goats, horses, llamas, or maybe a cow? Learn how to properly dispose of your feathered or furry friends’ manure. Join us to learn how composting manure can benefit your garden, our waterways, your budget, and the planet.

In this presentation, you will learn how to protect your local watershed and safely compost herbivore (plant-eaters) manure. Close the food chain cycle in your own backyard! By putting the waste of your farm animals to use in your garden, you will take advantage of nutrient-rich amendments that are created on your own property. Composting is easy and inexpensive and will help your plants thrive while conserving water.

We will cover the following topics:

• The basics and benefits of composting

• The importance of proper manure management

• How to reduce pests, health hazards, and water contamination

• How to compost manure safely 

• How to get started at home

Thanks to our host, Rainbow Valley Grange

Residents of San Diego are invited to join this free workshop to learn about all the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection. Pre-order a rain barrel for pickup at the distribution event following the hands-on workshop!  

​​This workshop is for City of San Diego residents only and will be detailing rebates and discount programs, how to harvest rainwater in your household, and the best way to use your new rain barrel.

In this workshop we will cover:

• The purpose and the environmental benefits of rain barrels and rain harvesting

• Downspouts, rain chains, and connecting them to your rain barrels

• How to install a rain barrel

• Maintaining your rain barrel

• How to empty rainwater from your barrel for capacity; and

• Rebates & discounts for City of San Diego residents

Discounted rain barrels available for City of San Diego residents:

City of San Diego residents are eligible for discounted rain barrels courtesy of the Think Blue San Diego!* Rain barrels are $30 each for City of San Diego residents after the $75 discount. Rain barrel sales close two weeks before the pickup event to ensure inventory is available. Please check your eligibility here before pre-ordering your rain barrels and selecting a pickup date.

Please contact us with any questions at (760) 436-7986 ext. 700 or at [email protected]. 

*Discounted rain barrels available only while supplies last. Rain barrel discounts available for qualified City of San Diego residents only, limited to two per household. If you have purchased 2 rain barrels through this program since 2023, you are no longer qualified, and additional orders will be cancelled and refunded.

This workshop is funded by Think Blue San Diego.

 Thanks to our host, Dolores Magdaleno Memorial Recreation Center

Residents of San Diego are invited to join this free workshop to learn about all the benefits of rain barrels and best practices for rainwater collection. Pre-order a rain barrel for pickup at the distribution event following the hands-on workshop!  

​​This workshop is for City of San Diego residents only and will be detailing rebates and discount programs, how to harvest rainwater in your household, and the best way to use your new rain barrel.

In this workshop we will cover:

• The purpose and the environmental benefits of rain barrels and rain harvesting

• Downspouts, rain chains, and connecting them to your rain barrels

• How to install a rain barrel

• Maintaining your rain barrel

• How to empty rainwater from your barrel for capacity; and

• Rebates & discounts for City of San Diego residents

Discounted rain barrels available for City of San Diego residents:

City of San Diego residents are eligible for discounted rain barrels courtesy of the Think Blue San Diego!* Rain barrels are $30 each for City of San Diego residents after the $75 discount. Rain barrel sales close two weeks before the pickup event to ensure inventory is available. Please check your eligibility here before pre-ordering your rain barrels and selecting a pickup date.

Please contact us with any questions at (760) 436-7986 ext. 700 or at [email protected]. 

*Discounted rain barrels available only while supplies last. Rain barrel discounts available for qualified City of San Diego residents only, limited to two per household. If you have purchased 2 rain barrels through this program since 2023, you are no longer qualified, and additional orders will be cancelled and refunded.

Parking and Arrival Instructions

Many groups use the North Clairemont Rec Center, so parking may be limited. There is additional parking at the Cathy Hopper Clairemont Friendship Center and ample street parking. We recommend arriving 15 minutes early to find parking and make your way to the workshop.

This workshop is funded by Think Blue San Diego.

Thanks to our host, North Clairemont Rec Center

Become a Master Composter! Join us at in Ramona to gain in-depth composting knowledge to expand your sustainable gardening practices. You can earn a certificate of completion after attending all five weeks, then go on to receive the Master Composter certification and badge after completing the additional requirements! Meet new people in this fun, hands-on course! Class size is limited. Course Fee: $25*. Any unincorporated resident who takes/completes the course will receive a free compost bin on the last day of class, thanks to the County of San Diego.

Master Composter Schedule:

Saturday, January 30th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 6th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 13th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 20th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 27th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

After completing this 5-week course you will have a better understanding of how to:

• Minimize your carbon footprint and reduce methane emissions by keeping food and yard waste out of the landfill.

• Create natural nutrient-rich soil amendments with your food and yard waste that help your garden grow.

• Avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

• Reduce water use and increase water retention. Compost increases your soil’s water-holding capacity and improves water retention. 

The Master Composter course provides training in the art and science of composting through lectures, demonstrations, and a field trip. The course covers the following topics:

• In-depth traditional composting and the basics of composting with worms (vermicomposting)

• Compost bin building and troubleshooting (in teams!)

• The microbiology of composting, including the role of fungi and bacteria

• Bokashi fermentation for saving food scraps to compost

• Macrodecomposers in your compost pile

• A field trip (Location TBA)

• The environmental impacts of composting

• … and much more!

How to get certified: Master Composter certification requires attendance at all 5 classes, as well as 30 volunteer hours of related community service. Certification is optional. 

Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego receive preferential registration. All others will be placed on a waitlist and apprised of space available 1-2 weeks before the start of the course.

BEFORE REGISTERING, please enter your address here to check your residency. You can select the County of San Diego Residents ticket option ONLY if your jurisdiction boundary result is exactly “S.D. COUNTY.” All others must select the waitlist option.

*If this course fee presents a financial hardship, it may be waived upon request. Please contact Sarah Van Horn [email protected] before registering to inquire.

Thank you to our host, Ramona United Methodist Church

Understanding SB 1383: Opportunities for Your Business in Food Waste Reduction

California’s groundbreaking food waste prevention legislation SB 1383 is now in full effect across San Diego County. As Californians are asked to rethink how they manage their food waste, business leaders may wonder: how can we comply, and how will this affect our bottom line?

This webinar will address the questions and concerns members of your business may have about food donation and organics recycling. Experts from Solana Center for Environmental Innovation are here to help you understand SB 1383 and find opportunities in compliance. From saving money and creating press opportunities to addressing climate change and regional food insecurity, your business, those in need, and the environment stand to benefit. 

In this webinar, we will cover:

• How SB 1383 affects your business

• The financial and local impacts of wasted food on your business and the environment

• Practical tips and strategies to divert food waste at your business

• Guidance on food donation, liability protection, and tax incentives

• Q&A session to answer your questions

All unincorporated individuals who register online will receive a link to the recording, which you can view for one week after the live webinar.

Join Solana Center for Environmental Innovation for a free community movie night and a panel discussion with local slow fashion and sustainability experts.

Where: Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024

When: Apr 8, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 pm
Cost: FREE

Refreshments will be served.

We will be screening The True Cost, a documentary film that tells the story of the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider: who really pays the price for our clothing?

Panel Discussion:

Moderated by: Jessica Toth, Executive Director, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

Claudia Rodrigues-Beizunski, Sew Loka  

A San Diego-based textile artist and fashion designer who has made a significant impact in the intersection of streetwear, sustainability, Chicana culture, and DIY fashion. She gained prominence for her distinctive style of customizing and upcycling clothing, while only using recycled, reclaimed and repurposed fabrics to create all of her one-of-one fashion designs and textile art pieces.

Kestrel Jenkins, Conscious Chatter/Fashion is Outrageous

An internationally trained journalist, Fulbright scholar, and podcasting trailblazer. With over 17 years of working in storytelling, public speaking, writing, communication, and digital media, Kestrel has a globally recognized voice, researching and communicating critical knowledge and advocacy in the fashion and sustainability space. She pushes the limits of storytelling and leaned into podcasting before it became a cultural phenomenon. Her podcast, Conscious Chatter, was the first to cover the depth and breadth of the international fashion industry, and has been downloaded over 1 million times with listeners across 115+ countries. 

Molly Prentzel, Fibershed/Gather Sewing Collective

Molly is one of the creators of Gather and a natural textile aficionado. Guided by her insatiable curiosity and love for wool, she carved out a life becoming a sewing instructor, professional sheep shearer, and community organizer. She sews sloooooow and hopes that her passion for truly sustainable crafting can change the world.

Funded in part by the City of Encinitas Community Grant and the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Community Enhancement Grant

Join Solana Center for Environmental Innovation and the San Diego Fix it Clinic for a free, family-friendly community event featuring hands-on activities, learning opportunities, the impact of fast fashion and textile waste, and how you can be part of the solution. 

Event Activities:

Clothing Swap: At our clothing swap, all items are free. Bring some, take some! Or just take; participants are welcome to give and not take, and vice versa. For those donating to the swap, you can bring clothing, shoes, and accessories (i.e., purses, hats). The limit is up to 2 grocery-sized bags total per person. Also, please make sure items are clean, wearable, and not stained/torn; those items will be turned away.

San Diego Fix it Clinic: Have a shirt that needs a button? Broken zipper? Tear in your favorite jacket? Register for a mending appointment with San Diego Fix it Clinic (registration coming soon)

Craft Corner: Recycled fabric scrap art & T-shirt repurposing

Sustainable Exhibitors: 

• BeCreative.Zone featuring crafting/upcycling of old socks and T-shirts.

• Molly Prentzel, Natural Fiber Artist, Educator and Co-Founder of Gather Sewing Collective 

• FiberShed 

Textile Trivia: Test your knowledge of natural fibers, natural dyes, and textile vocabulary, led by Solana Center Eco Team Docents

Pledge Station: Commit to being part of the solution at our pledge station, where you can transform your new knowledge into action through everyday actions. Learn more about specific actions you can take to make a difference, and share your commitment to getting started! 

Funded in part by the City of Encinitas Community Grant and the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Community Enhancement Grant, in partnership with San Diego Fix It Clinic.