Celebrate
the Earth with the County of San Diego
We hope you enjoy these activities that
celebrate our beautiful planet and help you care for our natural
environment. We look forward to celebrating with you virtually all
year long, and in person at this year's Earth Day Fair at the County
Operations Center, 5500 Overland Drive, from 11 a. m. to 1 p.m. on
April 22, 2024.
This site offers something for everyone including events you
can join, how-to videos, hikes, science and technology activities,
e-book collections, and proactive ways to live more sustainably. You
can even visit museums and iconic locations around the world on this site.
Note: Google Translate in the upper right corner will translate this site into different languages.
#COSDEarthDay
#EarthDay2024
Sustainability is core to our County mission. We’ve made it one of the components of our new overarching County vision: a just, sustainable and resilient future for all and it’s one of the central values we dedicate ourselves to as an organization. View video messages from County leaders.
From big to small things, we are committed to making a difference for the environment.
Celebrate Our Earth at Any Time With These Fun Activities!
What will you do to support our Earth? Learn how to reduce your impact and become a better 'Earthling'!
Discover culture by exploring museums, visiting global landmarks, admiring artworks, and playing games.
Take a virtual journey around the world from your living room with 360° views of incredible landscapes!
Earth Month Events
Earth Fair at County Operations Center
Visit our booths and learn about the ways your County makes a difference protecting and investing in our planet.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Monday, April 22
5500 Overland Drive,
San Diego 92123
Give Back to the Earth
9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 20
Join us as we clean parks to clear waste around
waterways and prevent it from moving downstream. We’ve
partnered with I
Love a Clean San Diego to host Creek-to-Bay Cleanups
at several County parks. Advance registration is required.
Details and individual volunteer events will be posted in early
April to Creek to Bay | I Love A Clean San Diego (cleansd.org).
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email ParksVolunteer@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Participating County parks:
Otay Lakes County Park (Chula Vista)
Rainbow County Park (Rainbow)
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve (Cardiff/Solana Beach)
South Lane County Park (El Cajon)
We’ve also planned a tree planting and giveaway event at Lindo Lake County Park on April 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. where we plan to add 100 trees! Come prepared to get a little dirty – knowing you’ll take part in building a tree canopy that will provide shade, shelter and other environmental benefits for years to come.
Staff-Led Activities
9 a.m. - Saturday, April 20
Park staff at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve
will lead a hike along the moderately difficult, 3.5-mile Martha’s
Grove Trail. Explore native plants and wildlife in this 2,272-acre
preserve, as well as historic oak groves, and the remnants of an old
ranch. This activity meets at the Goodan Staging Area, located at
16281 Sycamore Canyon Road, Poway, CA, 92064. Call the park for
details at (858) 513-4737.
Also rangers will lead an easy and family-friendly 1.5-mile tour of the County’s first open space acquisition: Wilderness Gardens County Preserve. View a grinding stone used by Native Americans and see one of the first grist mills in Southern California, then explore connecting trails and enjoy a picnic in picturesque Pauma Valley. Call the park for details at (760) 742-1631.
Saturday, April 20 - 11 a.m - rangers at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park in Bonita will lead a 1.5-mile nature hike focused on native plants and animals. Staff will point out unique species, answer questions, and share fun facts along the way. Meet at the Horseshoe Lawn at the Campground. Call the park for details at (619) 472-7572.
Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
Staff at Sweetwater
Regional Park will be at the Eastview County Park Lawn to lead a second easy
hike focused on local wildlife. Join them to identify plants and
animals, interesting adaptations, native versus non-native species,
and more. Call the park for details at (619) 472-7572.
*Hikes are weather-dependent; heavy rain will cancel. Please
dress appropriately with layered clothing, sun protection and good
shoes/boots. Registration is not required. All ages are welcome.
Sunday, April 21, 10 – 11 a.m.
Reading with Rosy Boa - San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
With our resident reptile ambassador – Rosy the Rosy Boa – our rangers will host an interactive snake workshop, a lagoon trail walk, and a very special storytime with the San Diego County Library! Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater.
Sunday, April 21, 12 – 1 p.m.
Picnic with the Goats -
Los Penasquitos Ranch House
Bring your lunch for a pen-side picnic with our resident animal ambassadors. During the picnic, park rangers will discuss 1860s ranch life, animal care and Nubian goats. At the end, there will be an opportunity to interact with the goats and tour the centuries-old ranch house.
Nature Discovery Tables
Monday, April 22
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Earth Day Discovery Table & Nature Craft
Ramona Grasslands County Preserve
Check out some of the animals you might encounter on a hike at Ramona Grasslands! Our Nature Discovery Table will have items from the environment representing once-live local wildlife like skins, pelts, skulls and teeth. Learn something new, ask questions, and participate in an Earth Day nature craft.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Ramona Grasslands County Preserve
Story Trails
April 20 – 27
Colorful pages of children’s books come alive with pages posted
along pathways in our most popular parks. Visit one of the following
recreation destinations for a real English/Spanish literary
adventure!
Adams County Park (Valley Center)
Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)
Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)
Lake Morena County Park (Campo)
Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)
Live Oak County Park (Fallbrook)
Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)
Otay Lakes County Park (Chula Vista)
Pine Valley County Park (Pine Valley)
Potrero County Park (Potrero)
Ramona Grasslands County Preserve (Ramona)
San Dieguito County Park (Del Mar)
Thinking About an Electric Car?
Learn more at our EV Consumer Website.
Ask a Recycling Specialist
Want to learn tips and tricks about recycling from a County of San Diego recycling specialist? Check out this video!
Helpful Videos
Become familiar with the rules of the trails so everyone's experience is enjoyable.
Help Prevent Mosquito Breeding
This video will help you Fight the Bite!
How to Properly Plant a Tree
Learn the importance of replanting native trees to replenish the local tree canopy. Using a 5-gallon pot sample first, find the topmost root, then dig a shallow and wide planting hole, finally place the tree in. Don't forget to water your new plant!
Popular Services