VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Events

Looking to volunteer with Solana Center? Find an event on the list below and join us or click here to learn about private/group volunteer events

Please note: 

  • For E-waste / Store Volunteering:
    • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
  • For Schools:
    • Volunteers must be 18 years and older
  • For community outreach and booths:
    • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For volunteers under 18, it is mandatory to attend with a parent or guardian.
  • For onsite Build & Beautify:
    • Volunteers must be aged 16 and up. 
  • For Worm Wrangling:
    • Volunteers must be at least 5 years old. Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

All volunteers under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to fill out the registration form on their behalf.

Upcoming events

February E-Waste Collection and Store Volunteer, Thursdays and Saturdays

Feb 01, 2025—Feb 27, 2025

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

Workshop Volunteer: Backyard Composting Basics – Fallbrook

Feb 22, 2025 9:00AM—1:00PM

Fallbrook Library 124 S Mission Rd Fallbrook, CA 92028

Workshop Support: On-Farm Composting Course Week 1 – San Marcos (Waitlist Only)

Feb 22, 2025 8:30AM—1:00PM

TERI Campus of Life 555 Deer Springs Road San Marcos, CA 92069

Event Prep: Zero Waste Textile Expo

Feb 27, 2025 9:30AM—11:30AM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

February Build and Beautify

Feb 28, 2025 9:30AM—11:30AM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

Workshop Support: On-Farm Composting Course Week 2 – San Marcos

Mar 01, 2025 8:30AM—1:00PM

TERI Campus of Life 555 Deer Springs Road San Marcos, CA 92069

Event Prep: Zero Waste Textile Expo

Mar 01, 2025 9:30AM—11:30AM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

March E-Waste Collection and Store Volunteer, Thursdays and Saturdays

Mar 01, 2025—Mar 29, 2025

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

Virtual Volunteer Orientation

Mar 05, 2025 6:00PM—7:00PM

Virtual ,

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at City Heights Farmers Market – San Diego

Mar 08, 2025 8:30AM—3:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) 4325 Wightman St. San Diego, CA 92101

School Volunteer: Valley Center Elementary Ag Day – Valley Center

Mar 14, 2025 8:00AM—2:00PM

Valley Center Elementary School, 28751 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at MANA de San Diego Pi Day- San Diego

Mar 14, 2025 4:00PM—8:00PM

Salvation Army KROC Center 6845 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92115

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Mt. Helix Nature Day – La Mesa

Mar 15, 2025 8:30AM—4:00PM

Mt. Helix Park 4901 Mt Helix Dr. La Mesa, CA 91941

March Worm Wranglin’

Mar 21, 2025 9:30AM—11:00AM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino real Encinitas, CA 92024

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Japanese Friendship Garden – San Diego

Mar 25, 2025 9:00AM—3:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Japanese Friendship Garden 2215 Pan American Road E. San Diego, CA 92101

March Build and Beautify

Mar 27, 2025 9:30AM—11:30AM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024

Volunteer Picnic Social

Mar 29, 2025 11:30AM—1:30PM

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation 137 N El Camino real Encinitas, CA 92024

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Barrio Logan Science & Art Expo – San Diego

Apr 12, 2025 9:00AM—3:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Mercado del Barrio 1900 Main Street San Diego, CA 92113

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Earth Month Celebration – Carlsbad

Apr 12, 2025 8:00AM—2:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Pine Avenue Community Park 755 Chestnut Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Fallbrook Avocado Festival – Fallbrook

Apr 13, 2025 7:30AM—6:00PM

(Three Shift Times Available) 111 S. Main Ave. Fallbrook, CA 92028

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at San Diego EarthFest – Balboa Park

Apr 19, 2025 10:00AM—6:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Balboa Park Presidents Way Lawn Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101

Workshop Volunteer: All About Composting with Worms – Encinitas

Apr 23, 2025 5:30PM—9:30PM

San Diego Botanic Garden 300 Quail Gardens Dr. Encinitas, CA 92024

School Volunteer: Campo Elementary – Campo

Apr 24, 2025 9:00AM—3:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Campo Elementary School 1654 Buckman Springs Rd. Campo, CA 91906

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Bee and Butterfly Festival – Valley Center

Apr 26, 2025 10:00AM—3:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Valley Center Library 29200 Cole Grade Rd. Valley Center, CA 92082

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Spring Valley Day – Spring Valley

Apr 26, 2025 9:00AM—4:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) 2300 Bancroft Drive Spring Valley, CA 91977

Outreach Volunteer: Booth at Ramona Earth Day Festival – Ramona

Apr 26, 2025 10:00AM—6:00PM

(Two Shift Times Available) Begent Ranch 18528 Highland Valley Road Ramona, CA 92065

What volunteers can do

Mission - Get involved
Climate Solutions Center

Support Solana Center programs from our home base! We have several monthly volunteer opportunities that support our Encinitas-based Climate Solutions Resource Center including taking care of composting worms, e-waste recycling program support, and more.

Kids garden
School Programs

Support the next generation of eco-stewards! Assist a Solana Center educator at one of these school events, where students get hands-on experiences with composting, recycling, and other environmental subjects. 

Booth Outreach
Community Outreach

Help Solana Center educate people about key environmental topics such as composting, vermicomposting, recycling, and watershed stewardship at major community or private events across the County.

Workshop
Environmental Workshops

Help our community learn about improving the quality of our soil, reducing waste and air pollution and saving energy, money, and water through composting! 

Volunteer Training Resources

Learn more about what to expect when volunteering with Solana Center and how you can donate your time to help our organization increase its impact.

Volunteering Overview

Community Outreach

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Our group volunteer program is a great opportunity to give back to the community and learn about local sustainability. Engage your team in a meaningful volunteer experience that helps Solana Center make a positive impact on the San Diego community, and the environment.

Who can participate:
This program is for any organization or group that meets the activity requirements and can pay an associated fee.

Give your group a hands-on, team building, eco- friendly experience!

Volunteers are the backbone of our many programs, enabling us to bring sustainable living practices to thousands of San Diegans each year.

We have many ways for people to get involved in our sustainability programs. Whether you like working with children, or working with bugs, whether you like teaching others about composting or diving headfirst into the compost pile yourself, there is something for everyone. Our programs go all over the County to schools and community centers, to fairs and concerts, or they happen right here in our backyard. They are open to people of all experience levels (unless otherwise specified).

We hope you can join our team in making the community a greener place! Find out about new opportunities in our Volunteer Newsletter.

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