Author: Chris Wieseler1

Counting Down the Top 7 Reasons To Volunteer at Creek to Bay

With our annual Creek to Bay Cleanup coming up tomorrow, it’s no guess as to why our staff and volunteers are bursting with excitement. We’ve been rallying together these past few weeks and it’s all about to pay off tomorrow. With all the anticipation and stress that inevitably brews in the days leading up to such a huge event, I found myself asking, exactly why do the fine people of San Diego decide to take time out of their busy schedule to come help us out? I was surprised to find just how many different reasons our community has for giving back, through on site testimonials and surveys, we’ve narrowed down the most popular reasons for volunteering for Creek to Bay.

Top 7 Reasons San Diegans Participate in Creek to Bay

#7 Opportunity to get to know your neighbors.

San Diego is a big city (second largest in California), this is a great chance to get familiar with your neighbors that share the same interests.

#6 Community service credit for students (high schoolers/college students).

Whether it’s getting into college or grad school, volunteer hours are the perfect thing to put on an application.

#5 Getting exercise in the great outdoors.

Sometimes it’s hard to fit in physical exercise during the busy work/school week, what better way to burn some calories than doing so while also making the community a cleaner and healthier place?

#4 Team building opportunity for sports teams or employees.

Picking up trash in the hot sun while doing your best to avoid poison oak can seem daunting, but with a little help from your friends (or teammates or co-workers), it can turn into a beautiful bonding experience.

#3 Scout patches for boy & girl scouts

Teaching youths the importance of a healthy environment is an invaluable lesson. Creek to Bay offers an outlet for young scouts to get their hands dirty and earn some cool and meaningful merit badges.

#2 Discovering new outdoor areas (parks, canyons, creeks, etc)

There are hundreds of awesome outdoor spaces in the county of San Diego, chances are you haven’t discovered them all just yet. Sign up for a site you’ve never heard of before, and who knows, you could find your new favorite hangout spot!

#1. Preventing pollution from washing downstream

The reason we all spend so much time and effort putting these clean ups together is to get the trash off the streets to prevent harm it does to the environment. One path the trash can take it flowing directing in to storm drains and straight into the ocean. Once plastic and other debris makes its way in to the water, it’s nearly impossible to remove.

What’s YOUR reason for volunteering this Saturday? We want to hear it, if you don’t see your reason listed above, get in touch with us because we love hearing what motivates you. See everyone tomorrow, bright and early!

Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday April 27

Did you know that Americans fill 3.7 billion prescriptions every year? While many of these medications are taken as prescribed, many others go unused and end up taking up space in our medicine cabinets. In order to provide residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of medications, the Drug Enforcement Agency has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. On Saturday April 27, the DEA will be partnering with local law enforcement agencies to collect unused or expired medications from the public. Residents can drop off their unused medications between 10am and 2pm at one of nearly 40 drop off sites in San Diego County.

By properly disposing of unused medication, you are not just protecting your family but also protecting the local environment. Simply throwing old medication in the trash or flushing it down the toilet can have harmful effects on the environment; it pollutes our waters, impacts aquatic species, and contaminates our food and water supplies. Recent studies by United States Geographical Survey have found active pharmaceutical ingredients present in some groundwater and drinking water sources, some portion of which is likely due to flushing medications. Both the EPA and the FDA encourage the use of a medicine take-back program, like the National Take-Back Day, as it is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to dispose of unused medication. The previous five collection days have collected a total of two-million pounds of unused medication, helping to keep pharmaceuticals out of the environment. To find a drop off location near you, visit the National Take-Back Initiative website.

If you are unable to make it to one of the drop off locations on April 27, visit WasteFreeSD.org to find a location that collects unused medications year round. Secure collection boxes have been installed at several sheriff’s stations throughout San Diego County, giving residents a convenient way to properly dispose of old medication.

For more information about the proper disposal of medication or for other questions about recycling, visit WasteFreeSD.org today!

Javier Hernandez, taking Creek to Bay to new heights

One of the most exciting and gratifying aspects of our annual Creek to Bay Cleanup is seeing people take the initiative to clean up the environment around where they live and then to see their neighbors come together to help. Javier Hernandez is an amazing example of that. He has been working for many years to help clean up his neighborhood of Logan Heights and to show his children and neighbors that they can make a positive difference right in their own community.

Javier (left) with his co-captain at ILACSD's annual site captain meeting — Javier (left) with his co-captain at ILACSD’s annual site captain meeting

Javier is the volunteer Site Captain at the Chollas Creek site near the intersection of 33^rd and National Avenue. Upon first glance, it may just look like an empty dirt lot, but if you walk to the edge of the lot, you will see the trickling waters of Chollas Creek. The surrounding community has dealt with its share of challenges, from prostitution and homeless encampments that made it nearly impossible to even have a cleanup until just a few years ago. Knowing that there was a great need in the area, when one of his former co-workers (and past Creek to Bay volunteer) suggested Javier host a cleanup site, he knew it was the perfect opportunity to dive right in. After the first time, he kept coming back because he says he finds the experience so rewarding and loves to get friends and their kids involved in cleaning up their community.

Volunteers working diligently at Javier's cleanup site at last year's Creek to Bay Cleanup — Volunteers working diligently at Javier’s cleanup site at last year’s Creek to Bay Cleanup

Javier has worked hard to get both the City Council and Caltrans involved in creating momentum to clean up this area in his neighborhood. He felt that organizing a cleanup like Creek to Bay was “something I needed to do just because I live in the neighborhood and I don’t want my kids to see that…I want to show them something positive, show them that they can make a difference too.” This year he also has the full support from City Council District 8 who will be providing dumpsters for a community drop off event in addition to the ones provided by ILACSD so that members of the community can bring their old, discarded items for disposal at no cost, preventing illegal dumping.

Since Javier started his Creek to Bay site, the neighborhood has really taken initiative to help out and they’ve even started to expand to other sites in the area that are in need. Javier says, “It means the world to me to do this. If what I’m doing makes a difference to others that’s the most important thing.”

Join Javier at his cleanup site for this year’s Creek to Bay Cleanup! Register online today at www.CreektoBay.org.

How to Celebrate Earth Day, San Diego Style!

Hello San Diegans! Need plans for this upcoming weekend? Why not spend your Sunday afternoon with I Love A Clean San Diego at the 24^th annual EarthFair! The fair will be located at the beautiful Balboa Park from 10am-5pm on Sunday April 21st. Admission is free! What better way to spend your weekend in America’s Finest City then by sauntering through Balboa Park learning the latest and greatest about going green?

Each year EarthFair brings around 70,000 visitors. Did you know EarthFair started with a local organization called San Diego Earthworks back in 1989? The organization held its first EarthFair a year later in 1990 with the organizational skills of only three people! The first event included 215 volunteers and 50,000 visitors! (How impressive is that?) Every year after that people from all over come to join in on the celebration.

The day will be filled with various events ranging from a children’s parade, eARTh galleries, a plethora of environmental exhibitors, unique food vendors, and other sources of great entertainment. The fair is an awesome and fun way to understand more ways to get involved in order to make the environment a safe and better place! Whether you are eager to learn or ready to get your hands dirty and volunteer, the EarthFair is prepared to provide you with all the information you need!

Stop by our booth at EarthFair in front of the Museum of Art!

If volunteering is something you are interested in, it’s not too late to RSVP for our Creek to Bay Cleanup, April 27^th! This is a county wide cleanup with 90 sites to choose from! Visit CreektoBay.org or just come find us this Sunday to get more information!

We hope to see you at EarthFair this Sunday at Balboa Park! Stop by our booth, which will be right in front of the Museum of Art. Come spin the prize wheel and talk to staff about how you can get involved! It will be a fun day to celebrate this place we call home! Until next time, you stay classy San Diego!

Meet Billy Paul: Protector of Creatures Big and Small

billy_paul_pic — Billy Paul, Creek to Bay Site Captain at Rose Creek

Meet Billy Paul, Creek to Bay Site Captain and a tireless advocate for our environment.

For more than 40 years, Billy Paul has been an environmental activist involved with many environmental projects in San Diego. He also rescues beagles. He works tirelessly to protect the natural environment and the unique animals that call San Diego home, particularly in the areas around Ocean Beach and along Rose Creek. A Vietnam veteran and former Marine, Billy has been involved in everything from cleanups at Dog Beach, to saving Famosa Slough from being drained by developers back in the 1970s. When he first got involved in cleanups, areas like Famosa Slough were being used by locals as dumping grounds for everything from shopping carts and even cars! Working with other dedicated citizens, Billy helped revitalize that area and started to notice a trend – the cleaner the area was, the less trash people would dump there over the course of a year. He says, “I’ve come to realize that if people don’t see trash there, they won’t dump stuff there!” which is one of the reasons he believes cleanups like Creek to Bay are so important.

Several years ago, Billy started volunteering at Rose Creek, an often overlooked waterway that runs along the eastern boundary of Pacific Beach and behind Mission Bay High School. He became a site captain for that site alongside his friend, Karin Zirk, who is also a member of the Friends of Rose Creek. Not only have they removed tons of trash from the creek, they even convinced Campland by the Bay to host an ice cream social after cleanups, providing volunteers with a small token of appreciation after a long morning of work! Thank you Campland!

Billy now lives in Clairemont where he serves as Chair of the Balboa Avenue Citizens Advisory Committee which has helped to revitalize the Balboa Avenue area and make it safer for drivers, pedestrians, and even the animals that call the area home. Billy’s dedication to protecting the environment, the people, and the animals in his local community are evident in the many ways he volunteers his time. It’s evident that nothing will stop Billy Paul from working tirelessly for a clean environment! He was even scheduled for hip replacement surgery this month that would have had him wheelchair bound at Creek to Bay. Fortunately the surgery was pushed back, although he said that he would have been out there regardless. Lucky for us, Billy will be fully mobile at Rose Creek for the Creek to Bay Cleanup and sharing his stories and experiences with the volunteers who share his enthusiasm for preserving the natural habitats near their home.

Oceanside Celebrates Green Week April 22-28

The City of Oceanside celebrates Green Week with a series of events and workshops for local residents. From film screenings to electronics recycling, there is something for everyone April 22^nd – 28^th, including I Love A Clean San Diego’s Creek to Bay Cleanup at five sites in Oceanside.

Oceanside Green Week events include:

Tuesday, April 23 – Compost Workshop – 6pm , El Corazon Senior Center

Oceanside residents will have the opportunity to purchase a compost bin at a discounted rate. Free event for Oceanside residents only, registration required: www.elcorazoncompostfacility.com

Thursday, April 25 – 3^rd Annual Environmental Film Festival – 6 – 9pm, Oceanside Museum of Art

Screening Trashed with an appearance by Captain Charles Moore. Free outdoor film, food vendors and silent auction on site, more info: www.oceansiderecycles.org

Saturday, April 27 – Creek to Bay Cleanup – 9am – 12pm, Loma Alta Creek, Buccaneer Beach, & south Oceanside Pier.

Volunteers needed! Register today: www.CreektoBay.org

Saturday, April 27 – Oceanside Green Fair – 11am – 4pm, Jr. Seau Beach Amphitheater

North County’s largest Earth Day Celebration, featuring dozens of environmentally-friendly booths, products, organizations, as well as food and live entertainment, more info: www.oceansiderecycles.org

Saturday, April 27 – Electronics Recycling – 11am – 4pm, Parking Lot 24, between Pacific & Myers St.

Free electronics recycling & data destruction available.

Saturday, April 27 – Compost Workshop – 8:30am , El Corazon Senior Center

Oceanside residents will have the opportunity to purchase a compost bin at a discounted rate. Free event for Oceanside residents only, registration required: www.oceansiderecycles.org

Sunday, April 28 – Used Oil Filter Exchange Event – 10am-2pm, O’Reilly Auto Parts – 3661 W. Mission Avenue, Oceanside

Free used oil filter exchange (up to 2 new filters per person) for Oceanside residents, while supplies last. More info: www.oceansiderecycles.org

Spotlight On: Aimee Edmonds, Creek to Bay site captain

Join Aimee Edmonds and her family as volunteers for this year's Creek to Bay Cleanup, and help protect our coast! — Join Aimee Edmonds and her family as volunteers for this year’s Creek to Bay Cleanup, and help protect our coast!

When Aimee Edmonds’ daughter’s American Heritage Girls troop chose our Creek to Bay Cleanup as their spring service project, she had no idea she would soon be bringing together not only the troop, but also her church, to clean up the area around their local elementary school. While looking around the Creek to Bay website for a cleanup site for the AHG troop Aimee said, “I quickly narrowed my search to Mira Mesa on the Creek to Bay website and there discovered ILACSD’s outstanding need for a Creek to Bay site in none other than…Mira Mesa!”

Mira Mesa, and specifically Hage Elementary School, is where Aimee and her family attend Newbreak Church, so she knew that the area was in need of not only litter pickup, but landscaping and painting projects. Aimee immediately reached out to our Community Events Department and signed up as the site captain for Mira Mesa. As the site captain, Aimee will receive training and supplies for her site from ILACSD and then will lead the volunteers the day of Creek to Bay.

When we asked Aimee why she though events like the Creek to Bay Cleanup were important she said,

“A clean San Diego is a visible expression that we as residents responsibly care about and appreciate our community where we live and breathe…Serving others is cross-generational and cross-cultural as it builds character in our youth, adolescents, and adults. The next generation is taught how to be good stewards of the things in which we are entrusted.”

Site captains like Aimee are the heart and soul of the Creek to Bay Cleanup, we could not mobilize 6,000+ volunteers at 92 sites across the county – all on one day – without them! Aimee says, “I look forward to bringing people together to help meet real needs at Hage Elementary. We want to show their administration, staff, teachers, students and families we value them as we come alongside them.”

Thanks Aimee and all our other site captains for the great work that you do as an extension of the ILACSD staff!

beach cleanups clean beaches clean coast clean san diego creek to bay cleanup I Love A Clean San Diego

Students learn, engage, and send a strong message at Kids’ Ocean Day

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Education Coordinator, Erika Bjorkquist!

It’s that time of year again, when students slap on sunscreen, grab gloves, and protect our beaches and ocean. You guessed it, we are already getting ready for the 20^th annual Kids’ Ocean Day on June 6, 2013! This year, five organizations throughout California will be hosting a Kids’ Ocean Day events at their local beaches. I Love A Clean San Diego is able to host Kids’ Ocean Day for the tenth year in a row due to the generosity of the California Coastal Commission.

Kids’ Ocean Day is a 2-part education event. First, our educators deliver Ocean Conservation Assemblies to participating classes. These presentations are engaging, interactive, and fun for both kids and kids at heart. After the presentation, students have the opportunity to apply what they learn in a hands-on way; we take them to the beach, where they participate in a cleanup. Lastly, students become advocates for clean beaches and oceans through an aerial art formation.

What is an aerial art formation? Participating students will form the outline of a message in the sand, which is captured by a photographer from a helicopter flying overhead. The result sends a clear message to all San Diegans to protect our precious local resources, and gives students a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the importance of protecting our oceans.

KAAB2012 — At Kids’ Ocean Day 2012, students showed all of San Diego that it is important to ‘Defend the Sea’

This year, 1000 students from 7 local Title I schools in the City of San Diego will participate! If you would like to join the fun with your class or to volunteer, contact Erika Bjorkquist at 619-704-2777 or ebjorkquist@cleansd.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Do you know what to “Doo”?

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Environmental Educator, Monica Rosquillas!

Have you ever walked down the street and seen the evidence that man’s best friend had been there as well? Although most dog owners do the right thing and pick up after their pets, the truth is that many don’t, and with the hundreds of thousands of dogs in San Diego County that means more pollution for our watersheds. Pet waste carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can threaten the health of humans and animals, and that’s why it’s very important that we always “doo” the right thing and “scoop the poop”. Pet waste that isn’t picked up can get carried by rainwater into storm drains. Since our storm water does not get treated, the bacteria- rich dog waste will likely end up in our rivers and eventually in the ocean.

I Love A Clean San Diego has partnered with the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program to encourage San Diego dog owners to commit to picking up their dog’s waste. We’ll be attending various community events throughout San Diego County and surveying dog owners on how often they pick up their pet’s waste on their property. Results from the 2011 surveys show that 70% of rural San Diego dog owners are already doing the right thing, and by participating in these events we hope that that number will grow. And why wouldn’t dog owners want to do the right thing? Responsible pet waste management keeps yards and feet clean, and also protects the quality of our region’s creeks, lakes, and beaches.

If you happen to see us at a community event around San Diego, please stop by our booth and sign the pledge to commit to picking up your pet’s waste to protect our watersheds!

What does Spring mean to you?

Today’s post comes from ILACSD’s Marketing Intern, Christina Etchebarren!

Spring is in the air, and this week it’s finally here! This season brings extended daylight, rising temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna. The word equinox comes from the Latin words meaning “equal night”, the name explains the time of the year when the day and night are of equal length. The vernal equinox signals the commencement of the Earth’s rejuvenation in the Northern Hemisphere.

Spring is the time when hibernating bears, hedgehogs and bumblebees emerge from their hiding places to stretch their sleepy legs. The days are a flutter with renewed signs of life everywhere you turn and the spirit of starting anew begins to take hold. Spring has been celebrated throughout human history as a time of organic and spiritual rebirth following the “dying of the year” in winter.

Spring cleaning may hold different meanings to different folks, to some it may mean clearing out stale energy from their lives, and to others it may quite literally mean cleaning out their cluttered garage. Deep cleaning around the house can sometimes pose a daunting challenge, I remember when my mom started mentioning our spring cleaning day I would immediately start think of reasonable excuses to duck out.

Maybe you’re an annual spring cleaner, and your accumulation of junk isn’t as daunting, but maybe you have put it off a few years, in that case spring cleaning this year may mean many hours of hard labor.

We at ILACSD know that it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between stuff that needs to be thrown away and things that can be recycled when it all looks like a huge heap in front of you. WasteFreeSD.org has been recently revamped in order to make recycling difficult items a whole lot easier. Whether you don’t know how to properly dispose of toxic materials, or simply need to know where the closest place to drop off your leftover paint, motor oil etc. the website will help you take your unwanted materials where they need to go.

As we step in to spring time, embrace the warm fresh air and try to give ourselves a fresh clean slate, keep in mind improper disposal of many household items can have devastating effects on the environment. As a part of our ongoing effort to keep San Diego clean, beautiful & healthy, we want you to keep WasteFreeSD.org on hand to help you through this years’ spring cleaning, and all of your future.