Earth Day Fair at County Operations Center Friday, Events this Weekend

The County will celebrate Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 21 with an in-person fair at the County Operations Center (COC) at 5500 Overland Drive. This event is open to the public.

Attendees can learn about the County’s Apiary Program with displays of beekeeping safety equipment and a live insect display with hissing cockroaches to hold.

Additionally, booths will feature information about recycling, stormwater protection, food waste prevention and ways people can help protect and improve water quality with everyday actions. There will also be electric vehicles on display and information about existing rebates and incentives programs. Giveaway items will also be available.

County parks officials will be there to talk about tree planting, invasive pests and volunteer opportunities.

Attendees can also learn about the County’s Climate Action Plan Update while playing interactive games and getting their photo taken at the photobooth.

In addition to Friday’s event at the COC, a variety of other County Earth Day events are also scheduled to take place on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 with the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Those include 14 park beautification projects at parks across the County, three nature discovery tables, and three park meetups, which include a ranger-led nature hike at a pond, a yoga class on a ranch, and an Earth Day arts & crafts activity in a community center. See the list below:

Improve your balance, view waterfowl on a scenic walk, or explore your creative side during these staff-led Earth Day activities:

YOGA FITNESS CLASS

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Los Penasquitos Ranch House

12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego

858-484-7504

EARTH DAY ARTS AND CRAFTS

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Spring Valley Community Center

8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley

 619-479-1832

RANGER-LED HIKE

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Morrison Pond in Sweetwater Regional Park

5102 Sweetwater Road, Bonita

619-472-7572

Touch fur, skins, skulls and other animal features at our Nature Discovery Tables. Learn about local wildlife and the unique adaptations that help them survive in a variety of habitats. Our rangers will be on site to answer all of your park-related questions and to help you understand, appreciate and experience ‘the upside of outside’! View our Nature Discovery Tables:

SYCAMORE CANYON/GOODAN RANCH NATURE CENTER

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

16281 Sycamore Canyon Road, Poway

858-513-4737

RAMONA GRASSLANDS COUNTY PRESERVE

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

West of State Route 67 on Highland Valley Road, Ramona

760-788-3326

OTAY LAKES COUNTY PARK

11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

2270 Wueste Road, Chula Vista

619-482-7361

Join us for a morning full of park beautification projects, including tree plantings, invasive vegetation removal and general trash pickup. Your efforts will improve the environment in and around our waterways — part of the larger Creek to Bay Cleanup coordinated by I Love a Clean San Diego! Materials are provided; come ready in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and wear sturdy shoes and sun protection. Don’t forget your own water bottle and gloves! Register in advance to volunteer at the parks listed below:

North County:

Cole Grade County Park

Hellhole Canyon County Preserve

Rainbow County Park

Rancho Guajome Adobe

San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center

Santa Margarita County Preserve

Valley Center Community Hall and Park

South County:

Otay Lakes County Park

Potrero County Park

Spring Valley County Park

East County:

Flinn Springs County Park

Mountains:

Collier County Park

Dos Picos County Park

Santa Ysabel Nature Center