11/22/24

Climate Action Stories, News, and Updates Welcome to the County's climate action e-newsletter, featuring recent accomplishments, news, and data-driven status reports on the implementation of County sustainability programs and development of the Climate Action Plan Update. Read the latest issue. Continue Reading Article

11/22/24

Takeaways from the Fourth Annual Gathering for San Diego County Food Vision 2030 On October 17, 2024, the San Diego Food System Alliance hosted its Fourth Annual Gathering at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The event brought together various food system stakeholders to explore cooperative strategies for building a more resilient and equitable food system in San Diego County. Continue Reading Article

11/22/24

Testimonial: My year working with the County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice I joined the County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) as a Management Fellow in October 2023 and it has been a year full of change, learning, and connections! Continue Reading Article

11/22/24

Green Friday: Sustainable Alternative to Black Friday Starting on November 29th, Green Friday encourages consumers to practice mindful shopping by supporting sustainable and ethical brands or choosing not to buy anything at all! Continue Reading Article

11/22/24

Winter Gardening in San Diego: Tips for Every Gardener In San Diego County, as temperatures cool and the rainy season approaches, it’s the ideal time for planting many types of plants, including cool-season vegetables, bare-root fruit, California natives, and trees. Continue Reading Article

10/18/24

County Board of Supervisors Adopts the 2024 Climate Action Plan Last month, the Board of Supervisors adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan, a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the unincorporated area and at County facilities to reach net zero emissions by 2045. Continue Reading Article

09/09/24

County Releases the 2023 Climate Action Progress Annual Report The 2023 Climate Action Progress Annual Report shows the County has continued to make climate action progress and provide co-benefits such as clean air and water, green jobs, and improved public health. Continue Reading Article

08/22/24

County Planning Commission Votes to Recommend Adoption of the CAP Update Last month, the County's Planning Commission voted to recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt the CAP Update. Continue Reading Article

08/22/24

EV Roadmap: 4th Annual Update on Implementation Efforts The County's EV Roadmap accelerates transportation electrification across the region with policy changes, EV infrastructure improvements, public outreach, and regional collaboration. See highlights of the County’s year four progress to electrify the roadway network. Continue Reading Article

08/22/24

Supporting Farmers with Market Research: SALC 2.0 Open House As part of the SALC 2.0 project, the County of San Diego's Planning & Development Services and San Diego County LAFCO hosted an in-person workshop on July 24th, 2024. The workshop aimed to inform local producers of the market analysis results and to collect input from producers on their operating cost centers. Continue Reading Article

08/22/24

Species Spotlight: California Wild Rose Each month, our Conservation Team shares a Species Spotlight that highlights a native plant or animal that calls the San Diego County region home. Today, we are excited to share a more detailed look at a plant that's a San Diego native landscape favorite, California wild rose (Rosa californica). Continue Reading Article

06/11/24

Twenty-six years of Preserving Species and Habitats in South County! One of the tools the County uses to preserve the region’s unique, native habitats and wildlife biodiversity for future generations is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). Continue Reading Article

05/17/24

Our Experiences as College Corps Sustainability Fellows at the County of San Diego For the past year, two University of San Diego students worked with us to learn about sustainability and climate action planning. Continue Reading Article

05/17/24

Sustainability Planning Division’s Magen Shaw Receives Award A Sustainability Planning Division team member recently received an award at the conference of the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Continue Reading Article

04/10/24

Celebrate Earth Month Across San Diego County April is Earth Month! Every year during the month of April, people all around the world highlight the importance of engaging in sustainability practices, conservation, and appreciation for our beautiful planet. Earth Month stems from Earth Day, which began in 1970 as a response to the increasing amount of air and water pollution produced in the U.S. By 1990, Earth Day expanded globally, turning the one-day celebration into a whole month! Continue Reading Article

04/10/24

County Hosts Conservation and Land Management Assistance Workshop with Regional Partners On March 14, 2024, the County of San Diego hosted the 3rd annual Voluntary Conservation and Land Management Assistance Workshop. This event was co-sponsored by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, United States Fish and Wildlife Services’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Continue Reading Article

03/11/24

Monthly Demonstration Garden Talks on Gardening and Sustainability Please join us at the County Operations Center to learn more about sustainable gardening and landscaping! Led by the Master Gardeners of San Diego, talks are held monthly at the garden on a variety of topics. Continue Reading Article

02/13/24

Species Spotlight: The Nuttall's Lotus Each month, our Conservation Team shares on social media (X, Facebook, and Instagram) a Species Spotlight that highlights a native plant or animal that calls the San Diego County region home. Today, we are excited to share a more detailed look into a plant that lives along our region’s coast – the Nuttall’s Lotus (Acmispon prostratus). Continue Reading Article

02/13/24

County Awarded $1.4 Million Grant to Protect Agricultural Land On December 18, 2023, the California Strategic Growth Council awarded the County of San Diego a $1.4 million grant under the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC). The grant will be used to fund an agricultural conservation easement on a 450-acre avocado and citrus orchard in Pauma Valley through the County’s Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program. Continue Reading Article

02/13/24

Building Energy Resiliency Through Climate Action Planning Throughout California, increases in heat waves, drought, wildfires, and more intense precipitation patterns can greatly impact the reliability and resiliency of existing power grids. The County is committed to being a regional leader in addressing climate change, promoting sustainability, and furthering goals to reach net zero emissions by 2045. Continue Reading Article

01/23/24

Preparing for Emergency Response in San Diego County Natural disasters such as wild fire, drought, and extreme heat events can create emergency situations for communities around the region. Continue Reading Article

01/23/24

What’s Next for the Draft Climate Action Plan? Thank you to everyone who submitted comments on the Draft Climate Action Plan and environmental documents during the public review period. Continue Reading Article

11/16/23

County Awarded Climate Smart Land Management Program Grant The County has been awarded a grant of over $1.7 million to support climate smart land management practices in the region. Continue Reading Article

11/16/23

Sustainability for the Holidays As we approach the holiday season, we tend to have extra trash and food waste that ends up in landfills. See tips for celebrating sustainably this holiday season. Continue Reading Article

10/13/23

Staff Present the Latest in the CAP Update to the Planning Commission Last month, our team provided an informational presentation on the CAP Update to the Planning Commission in advance of the Draft CAP and associated environmental documents. The Draft CAP and environmental documents will be available for public review soon. Visit our interactive website to learn how you can engage with the CAP. Continue Reading Article

10/13/23

Growing Spring Valley Together: A Night of Information and Inspiration The County recently held a community event to kick-off the beginning of a 2-year Transformative Climate Communities planning grant to create a more sustainable Spring Valley. Continue Reading Article

10/13/23

Strategies to Increase Use of Zero Emission Vehicles Across the Region The County and regional partners on the Accelerate to Zero Emissions Collaboration recently released ten strategies that address challenges to increasing zero emission vehicle (ZEV) use in the region. Continue Reading Article

09/26/23

CAP Update: Equity Framework Workshop Series Kicks-Off Interested in the latest on the Climate Action Plan Update progress and upcoming project activities? Continue Reading Article

09/26/23

County Releases the 2022 Climate Action Progress Annual Report The 2022 Climate Action Progress Annual Report shows the County has continued to make climate action progress and provide co-benefits such as clean air and water, green jobs, and improved public health. Continue Reading Article

09/26/23

Reducing Pollutant Emissions and Noise in Landscaping Equipment A State funded program offers point-of-sale discounts to small landscape businesses to purchase zero emission landscaping equipment. Continue Reading Article

08/18/23

My Experience as a Student Fellow with the County’s Sustainability Team Over the past year our Sustainability Planning team has hosted a Student Fellow to help them learn about sustainability and gain work experience. See highlights from their time working with our team. Continue Reading Article

07/18/23

CAP Team Provides Presentations on the Climate Action Plan Update to Community Planning & Sponsor Groups Our team has provided presentations on the CAP Update to Community Planning & Sponsor Groups in the unincorporated area to provide updates and receive feedback. Learn more and see what's next for community outreach. Continue Reading Article

07/18/23

EV Roadmap: 3rd Annual Update on Implementation Efforts The County's EV Roadmap accelerates transportation electrification across the region with policy changes, EV infrastructure improvements, public outreach, and regional collaboration. See highlights of the County’s year three progress to electrify the roadway network. Continue Reading Article

07/18/23

Twenty-five years of Preserving Species and Habitats in South County! One of the tools the County uses to preserve the region’s unique, native habitats and wildlife biodiversity for future generations is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). See highlights from the last 25 years of MSCP implementation. Continue Reading Article

06/14/23

Highlights from the CAP Update Spring General Update Workshop In May 2023, we held a public workshop to keep stakeholders aware of progress made on the CAP Update and continue to receive feedback. Continue Reading Article

06/14/23

Incorporating Youth Voices in the CAP Update CAP Update outreach has worked to empower young people and understand how climate change is impacting our youth. See how we're incorporating youth voices in the CAP Update. Continue Reading Article

06/14/23

Climate Action and Agriculture Symposium Staff recently participated in the 5th Annual Climate Action and Agriculture Symposium to discuss the changing climate and its impacts to the agricultural industry in San Diego. Read what we heard and how it will inform the CAP Update. Continue Reading Article

06/14/23

County Pilot Program Makes Strides on Water Quality and Sustainability The County's Waterscape Rebate Program offers rebates and support to help unincorporated county residents and businesses reduce water use on your property. Learn about the program and how you can save. Continue Reading Article

05/16/23

County is Developing a Pilot Carbon Farming Program The County is developing a Pilot Carbon Farming Program to both reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions on natural and working lands in the unincorporated area. Continue Reading Article

05/16/23

Takeaways from the 6th Annual State of Biodiversity Symposium Since 2018, the San Diego Natural History Museum has hosted the State of Biodiversity Symposium to discuss the importance of biodiversity within the region and beyond. Continue Reading Article

04/10/23

Earth Day 2023: Investing in Our Planet April 22nd marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day – a day of action to promote environmental protection in daily life and public policy. This year the County is expanding the fun across the entire month of April and we’re excited share the many ways we can celebrate with you! Continue Reading Article

04/10/23

CAP Team Seeks Input on Co-Benefits for the Climate Action Plan Update As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County held a virtual public workshop in March 2023 on co-benefits associated with climate action. Continue Reading Article

04/10/23

Sustainable Land Use Framework Will Inform How the County’s Communities Can Grow in a Healthy, Resilient, and Equitable Way On March 1, 2023, staff provided the Board of Supervisors an overview of an initial set of Sustainability Principles that could inform a Sustainable Land Use Framework in the unincorporated area. Continue Reading Article

03/10/23

County Hosts Conservation and Land Management Assistance Workshop with Regional Partners On March 1, 2023, the County of San Diego hosted the 2nd annual Voluntary Conservation and Land Management Assistance Workshop to connect property owners, farmers, land managers, and other organizations with existing funding opportunities, technical assistance, and organizations that support conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices. Continue Reading Article

02/13/23

Saving Money on Electrification with the Inflation Reduction Act Signed into law in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history and offers benefits such as discounts, tax credits, grants, and low-cost financing options to individuals, businesses, organizations, and local and state governments. Continue Reading Article

02/13/23

Staying ‘Clean’ While You Clean: Sustainable Cleaning Tips for the Spring! As the season changes from Winter to Spring, we often undertake the annual “spring cleaning”. This Spring, follow these easy tips to not only clean our space but also build new sustainable habits. Continue Reading Article

01/19/23

Supervisors Approve Program to Promote Native Plants The Board of Supervisors recently approved the multi-year San Diego County Native Landscape Program to use education and incentives to increase the use of native plants in landscaping across the region. Continue Reading Article

01/19/23

County Awarded Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Planning Grant The California Strategic Growth Council has awarded a partnership between the County and San Diego LAFCO a $450,000 planning grant to generate market information and best practice data to support and preserve agriculture in San Diego County. Continue Reading Article

01/19/23

Green Streets Clean Water Plan Wins Award for Outstanding Innovation Green streets are a stormwater management approach that integrate green infrastructure strategies into roads and rights-of-way. The County recently received an award for outstanding innovation for the Green Streets Clean Water Plan. Continue Reading Article

12/08/22

Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Season Ideas you can consider for celebrating the festive holiday season in a more environmentally friendly manner. Continue Reading Article

12/08/22

County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice Awarded Transformative Climate Communities Grant The California Strategic Growth Council has awarded the County $300,000 to implement a 2-year planning grant intended to increase economic resiliency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address public and environmental health issues in Spring Valley. Continue Reading Article

12/08/22

Partner Relay Network: Climate Change and Public Health Training Sustainability Planning Division staff joined the County's Public Health Services and the Office of Emergency Services to provide a training to community trusted messengers about climate change and public health. Continue Reading Article

12/02/22

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is December 3rd, which promotes a wider understanding of the difficulties that people with disabilities face. The County's Jay Program provides intern opportunities to people with disabilities to work with multiple County programs. Continue Reading Article

11/08/22

County Recognized for Promoting Sustainable Transportation Choices in the Workplace The County was recognized as the top tier, Platinum, of the iCommute Diamond Awards Program in 2022. The Program acknowledges employers across the region who develop and implement alternative commute programs to improve the region’s commute. Continue Reading Article

11/08/22

County Conservation Team Collaborates at National Habitat Conservation Plan Coalition’s Annual Meeting Our Conservation Team attended the 2022 National Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Coalition Annual Meeting to learn more about how HCPs are being implemented across the country and to gain insight into the cutting-edge and upcoming strategies for successful regional conservation. Continue Reading Article

11/08/22

Ready, Set, Go! Be Prepared for Wildfires In San Diego county, wildfires, both naturally occurring and human caused, are a major hazard to our communities. The County's Office of Emergency Services provides resources through ReadySanDiego.org to provide you with the information you need to better safeguard your family, property, and possessions. Continue Reading Article

10/10/22

Climate Action Plan Update Community Outreach To improve our equitable approach to the County’s Climate Action Plan Update, the Planning & Development Services Department's Climate Action Plan team within the Sustainability Planning Division has embarked on a community-centered outreach campaign. Continue Reading Article

10/10/22

The County is Making Composting Easier On September 14, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted an Ordinance amendment for composting standards to increase the number and ease of setting up composting operations, support diversion of materials from landfills, improve reuse, expand access to finished compost, and promote public and environmental health and safety. Continue Reading Article

09/12/22

CAP Team Seeks Input on Conceptual Measures for Built Environment and Transportation Emissions Reduction Sector As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County held a series of virtual public workshops throughout the summer to present project updates and solicit feedback. In August, the County facilitated a virtual workshop that presented a vision statement and conceptual measures for the Built Environment and Transportation emissions reduction sector. Continue Reading Article

09/12/22

Board of Supervisors Take Action to Advance Climate Action Plan and Support Regional Decarbonization Framework On August 31, 2022, the County's Board of Supervisors directed staff to move forward with preparing two programs and three reports that will advance County sustainability efforts and support the achievement of Regional Decarbonization Framework goals. These actions will kick-start greenhouse gas emission reducing activities associated with energy use and generation, transportation, and the natural environment. Continue Reading Article

09/12/22

County Residents Continue to Expand the Use of Solar to Power Homes The County’s 2018 Climate Action Plan Measure E-2.3 looks to increase the use of solar photovoltaics by making it easier to obtain a permit to install a rooftop solar system on your home. During 2021, the County permitted residential solar power equivalent to 11,427 homes. Continue Reading Article

08/22/22

CAP Team Seeks Input on Conceptual Measures for Agriculture and Conservation Emissions Reduction Sector As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is holding a series of virtual public workshops throughout the summer to present project updates and solicit feedback. In July, the County facilitated a virtual workshop that presented vision statements and conceptual measures for the Agriculture and Conservation emissions reduction sector. Continue Reading Article

08/22/22

Butterfly Conservation Takes Flight! The County is developing a long-term, regional strategy, called a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), to help contribute to the recovery of sensitive butterfly populations in the region. See how the plan will conserve the habitats of these sensitive species. Continue Reading Article

07/20/22

Advancing Climate Action Plan Initiatives and Supporting the Regional Decarbonization Framework To advance County sustainability efforts and support the achievement of Regional Decarbonization Framework goals, six actions will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on August 31, 2022. This will include actions to kick-start greenhouse gas emission reducing activities associated with energy use and generation, transportation, and the natural environment. Continue Reading Article

07/20/22

CAP Team Seeks Input on Conceptual Measures for Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater, and Energy Emissions Reduction Sectors As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is holding a series of public workshops throughout the summer to present project updates and solicit feedback. In June , the County facilitated three workshops that presented vision statements and conceptual measures for the solid waste, water and wastewater, and energy emissions reduction sectors. Continue Reading Article

06/07/22

Twenty-Four Years of Preserving Species and Habitats in South County One of the tools the County uses to preserve the region’s unique, native habitats and wildlife biodiversity for future generations is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). See highlights from the last 24 years of MSCP implementation. Continue Reading Article

05/11/22

EV Roadmap: Update on Implementation Efforts The County's EV Roadmap accelerates transportation electrification across the region with policy changes, EV infrastructure improvements, public outreach, and regional collaboration. See highlights of the County’s year two progress to electrify the roadway network. Continue Reading Article

05/11/22

Increasing Organic Recycling in the County: Organic Materials Ordinance Update Project The County’s Planning & Development Services and Department of Public Works are developing the Organic Materials Ordinance Update project to help divert organic materials (such as food scraps, plant materials, and agricultural materials) from landfills. See the latest project updates. Continue Reading Article

05/11/22

Go by Bike on Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 19th is Bike to Work Day! Join thousands of commuters across the region as they GO by BIKE for their work commute. If you are working remotely on May 19th, start the day off right with a bike ride around your neighborhood! Continue Reading Article

04/13/22

Updates to the Climate Action Plan Update Project Schedule The County is committed to crafting its Climate Action Plan Update using the most current data available. Learn how the CAP Update project schedule is being revised to use the most up-to-date transportation modeling data. Continue Reading Article

04/13/22

Earth Day 2022: Committed to Caring for Our Earth April 22nd marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day – a day of action to promote environmental protection in daily life and public policy. This year the County is expanding the fun across the entire month of April and we’re excited share the many ways we can celebrate with you! Continue Reading Article

04/13/22

Get to know your Sustainability Planning Division Connect with the Sustainability Planning Division on Twitter and Facebook and follow along as we promote County sustainability and conservation initiatives. This month, we're introducing our Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Team! Continue Reading Article

04/13/22

Planning Director Discusses How the County is Addressing Climate Change The County’s Director of Planning & Development Services, Dahvia Lynch, AICP, recently sat down for an interview with the American Planning Association’s Planning Magazine to discuss the County’s plans to address climate change, affordable housing, and conservation. Continue Reading Article

03/18/22

CAP Update: North El Cajon Community Meeting As part of the public involvement process for the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is conducting intentional engagement within Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs) to gather input and recommendations for the Climate Action Plan. On February 23, 2022, the County hosted a meeting in the North El Cajon community. Continue Reading Article

03/18/22

Planting Trees for the Future Tree planting is part of a major initiative to replenish San Diego’s tree canopy. The County’s Department of Parks and Recreation team and volunteers planted 4,113 trees of varying sizes in over 50 park locations last year. Learn about the benefits of trees and how you can get involved with tree planting. Continue Reading Article

02/15/22

CAP Update: Spring Valley Community Meeting As part of the public involvement process for the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is conducting intentional engagement within Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs) to gather input and recommendations for the Climate Action Plan. On January 26, 2022, the County hosted a meeting in the Spring Valley community, the second of multiple meetings to reach EJCs in San Diego County. Continue Reading Article

02/15/22

County Hosts Land Management Assistance Workshop with Regional Partners On January 26, 2022, the County of San Diego hosted the inaugural Voluntary Conservation and Land Management Assistance Workshop to connect property owners, farmers, land managers, and other organizations with existing funding opportunities, technical assistance, and organizations that support conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices. Continue Reading Article

01/24/22

CAP Update: Sweetwater Community Meeting As part of the public involvement process for the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is conducting intentional engagement within Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs) to gather input and recommendations for the Climate Action Plan. On October 26, 2021, the County hosted a meeting in the Sweetwater community, the first of multiple meetings to reach EJCs in San Diego County. Continue Reading Article

01/24/22

Reducing Food Waste: Why It Matters and How to Do It New California regulations, which went into effect January 1, 2022, require cities and counties to be responsible for implementing programs to reduce food waste. Learn what you'll need to do to compost organic waste. Continue Reading Article

12/16/21

Identifying Transportation Needs, Barriers, and Solutions in La Presa and Spring Valley The County conducted a community transportation needs assessment in the La Presa neighborhood of the Spring Valley community to learn about challenges residents experience when traveling throughout the community and to identify potential clean mobility solutions. Continue Reading Article

12/16/21

Get to know your Sustainability Planning Division Connect with the Sustainability Planning Division on Twitter and Facebook and follow along as we promote County sustainability and conservation initiatives. This month, we're introducing our Sustainability Planning Team! Continue Reading Article

11/19/21

Demonstration Garden Opens at the County Operations Center The County’s LiveWell San Diego Food System Initiative, in collaboration with its master gardeners, have developed a community demonstration garden in the heart of the County Operations Center (COC). This 400-square foot demonstration garden plot will be a resource to all who visit the COC, serving as a meeting spot, open space, and educational tool. Continue Reading Article

11/19/21

County Seeks Public Input on Development of North County Plan The County is developing the North County Multiple Species Conservation Plan to preserve native habitats and wildlife in the northern portion of the unincorporated county. In October, the North County Plan Stakeholder Working Group met to review and discuss components of the draft plan. Continue Reading Article

10/21/21

Keep up with the Sustainability Planning Division on Social Media Connect with the Sustainability Planning Division on Twitter and Facebook and follow along as we promote County sustainability and conservation initiatives. This month, we're introducing our Conservation Team! Continue Reading Article

10/21/21

CAP Team Seeks Input on Emissions Reduction Measures for the Agriculture and Conservation Sector As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is holding a series of public workshops throughout the year to present project updates and solicit feedback. In September, the County facilitated an Emissions Reduction Measure workshop on the agriculture and conservation emissions reduction sector. Continue Reading Article

10/21/21

Developing Options for Increasing Native Plant Landscaping in the County The County is developing options to encourage the use of native plants in landscaped areas to protect our natural resources through incentives, regulation, and/or educational programs. Continue Reading Article

09/23/21

Updates to the Climate Action Plan Update Project Schedule The County is committed to crafting its Climate Action Plan Update using the most current data available. Learn how the CAP Update project schedule is being revised to use the most up-to-date transportation modeling data. Continue Reading Article

09/22/21

CAP Team Seeks Input on Emissions Reduction Measures for the Built Environment and Transportation Sector As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is holding a series of public workshops throughout the year to present project updates and solicit feedback. In August, the County facilitated an Emissions Reduction Measure workshop on the built environment and transportation emissions reduction sector. Continue Reading Article

09/22/21

Make the Pledge to Go Electric During National Drive Electric Week 2021 The 11th annual National Drive Electric Week is September 25 to October 3, 2021. Celebrate with people as they raise awareness of the many benefits of battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Continue Reading Article

09/22/21

Green Building Standards Help Reduce Water Consumption, Greenhouse Gas Emissions In December 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance amending the County's Green Building Code to increase water efficiency in new residential development. The update sets standards and requirements on kitchen faucets and appliances for all new residential development, alterations, repairs, or reconstruction in the unincorporated county. Continue Reading Article

08/23/21

New Report Projects the Demand for Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations to Meet State Targets A new report estimates that by 2030, the San Diego region will need to significantly increase the number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations (and even some hydrogen fueling stations) to keep up with projected demand. Continue Reading Article

08/23/21

Twenty-three Years of Preserving Species and Habitats in South County One of the tools that the County of San Diego uses to preserve the region’s unique, native habitats and wildlife biodiversity for future generations is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). Over the last 23 years of the MSCP, there have been many exciting successes. Continue Reading Article

08/23/21

CAP Team Seeks Input on Smart Growth Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Measures As a part of the Climate Action Plan Update, the County is holding a series of public workshops throughout the year to present project updates and solicit feedback. In June, the County facilitated a Smart Growth Alternatives workshop, followed by an Emissions Reduction Measure workshop on the energy, water and wastewater, and solid waste emissions reduction sectors in July. Continue Reading Article

07/15/21

County Exceeds its 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target by 22% The County reduced 160,743 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent through the end of 2020, exceeding the 2018 CAP's 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 22%. Learn more in the newly released 2020 Report on Climate Action Plan Progress. Continue Reading Article

07/15/21

County Launches Electric Vehicle Consumer Guide Website As part of the County of San Diego’s ongoing implementation of the Electric Vehicle Roadmap (EV Roadmap), we are excited to share the launch of the Electric Vehicle Consumer Guide website. This website provides resources to help answer questions about owning zero-emissions vehicles. Continue Reading Article

07/15/21

Making Climate-Friendly Food Choices While climate change might seem completely overwhelming, many individuals and families find it empowering to learn strategies they can implement in their day-to-day lives to help reduce—or mitigate—the impacts of climate change. Here are three easy steps you can take to make more climate-friendly food choices. Continue Reading Article

06/17/21

CAP Update Embraces Equity and Environmental Justice During Public Workshop Over the last few months, the County has heard from members of the public that they are concerned about the disproportionate effects of climate change on our most vulnerable communities and the importance of emphasizing equity in the Climate Action Plan Update. On June 2nd, the sustainability planning team held our first equity-focused workshop. Continue Reading Article

06/17/21

County Sustainability Projects Nationally Recognized The National Association of Counties released its 2021 program of Achievement Award recipients last month, recognizing counties throughout the country for innovative programming and services that better their communities. Of the 51 total County projects that received an award, learn about a few standout sustainability efforts. Continue Reading Article

06/17/21

San Diego County APCD Program Offers Financial Incentives to Retire Older Vehicles Passenger vehicles and other mobile sources are the largest contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the San Diego region. To help achieve regional and local air quality goals, and reduce GHGs, the County of San Diego is introducing a new program that will provide money to San Diego residents to retire old vehicles. Continue Reading Article

05/17/21

Climate Action Plan Update Equity-Focused Virtual Public Workshop The County is hosting an online equity-focused workshop on June 2 to discuss equity in the CAP Update, solicit feedback to aid in the identification of underserved/frontline communities, understand and define equity, develop an engagement approach that is inclusive and effective, and develop a greater understanding of the climate-related issues facing identified communities. Continue Reading Article

05/17/21

Policy Updates Aim to Increase Diversion of Organic Materials from Landfills On May 5, 2021, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors approved updates to the Solid Waste Ordinance to encourage waste diversion in the unincorporated county. The Board of Supervisors also updated its franchise agreement with companies providing waste and recycling services. Continue Reading Article

05/17/21

Organic Materials Ordinance Update Project County staff has been conducting research and public outreach to inform the development of the Organic Materials Ordinance Update project. This project is part of a Countywide effort to meet solid waste diversion targets pursuant to the 2018 Climate Action Plan and in alignment with programs and policies recommended by the Strategic Plan to Reduce Waste. Continue Reading Article

04/22/21

Celebrate Earth Day: Continue Good Habits Developed Over the Last Year April 22nd is the 51st anniversary of Earth Day! At this time last year, we were at the height of the pandemic around the world. While humans have mostly returned to our usual patterns, there are some sustainable habits we were just starting to develop a year ago during our time at home. See some low-carbon habits brought on by the pandemic, and let’s keep them up! Continue Reading Article

04/22/21

Climate Action Plan Update - Public Workshop The County’s sustainability planning team advanced the Climate Action Plan Update project at a virtual public workshop on April 21st. The event drew more than 175 attendees and included a presentation on the project background, objectives, components, and timeline. See highlights from the workshop and learn more about the CAP Update project. Continue Reading Article

03/29/21

PACE Program Update Seeks to Expand Opportunity to Farmers On March 3rd, the County’s Board of Supervisors adopted the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program Update, which included new eligibility criteria to expand this opportunity to a larger group of agricultural landowners and updated the ranking criteria used for easement selection. Continue Reading Article

02/25/21

Latest News on the CAP Update On January 28th, the Planning & Development Services sustainability team kicked off the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update project at a public scoping meeting. The meeting drew attendees from across the region to solicit comments regarding the scope and analysis of the CAP Update Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and potential greenhouse gas reduction strategies to be included in the CAP. Continue Reading Article

02/25/21

Ordinance Update Seeks to Increase Composting The County is undertaking the Organic Materials Ordinance Update project to expand and encourage composting activities in the unincorporated area. The proposed project will allow by-right composting, streamline small-scale composting, and expand options for medium- and large-scale operations. Continue Reading Article

01/20/21

Start the New Year Off with a Sustainable Resolution If you are still working on selecting your 2021 New Year’s Resolution, or looking to add another, consider incorporating sustainability into your daily life. To help you on this journey, here are a few New Year’s Resolutions you can use to live more sustainably. Continue Reading Article

12/14/20

Recycle Right for a Sustainable Holiday Season Did you know that Americans generate 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than during the rest of the year? The County is here to offer some simple tips on how to reduce your waste, Recycle Right, and create a more sustainable holiday season. Continue Reading Article

12/14/20

Implementing a Roadmap to Clean Transportation In its first year of Electric Vehicle Roadmap implementation, the County took steps to accelerate transportation electrification across the region with policy changes, EV infrastructure improvements, public outreach, and regional collaboration. See highlights of the County’s progress to electrify the roadway network. Continue Reading Article

11/06/20

Support Your Local Food System During This Holiday Season Purchasing locally sourced and in-season produce keeps organic waste out of the landfill and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn how you can use locally sourced food this holiday season to support local farmers, have access to fresh produce, preserve diversity, and reduce your carbon footprint. Continue Reading Article

11/06/20

Enjoy the Outdoors on Green Friday On November 27th, trade in Black Friday shopping madness – whether that’s online or in-store – with Green Friday by discovering the great outdoors. Take a deep breath of fresh air, observe birds soaring above, and hike off the Thanksgiving dinner calories! Continue Reading Article

11/06/20

County Awarded Funding to Study Gap in Equitable Transportation in La Presa – Spring Valley Community Planning Area The County of San Diego has been awarded funding to evaluate transportation gaps and identify mobility needs, preferences, and priorities of residents in under-resourced communities. Continue Reading Article

10/12/20

County Cuts Its Water Use by 15 Percent The County committed to reducing water consumption at its facilities in the 2018 Climate Action Plan. By conducting regular water audits to monitor consumption, and implementing best practices at County facilities, the County is achieving its goal of 15% water reduction. Continue Reading Article

10/12/20

Saving Water is a Family Effort! Did you know in 2019 each Californian used 86 gallons of water per day? Saving water is an environmentally friendly practice that can result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction, processing, and transportation of treated water. We hope you will find this list of tips helpful for all family members to save water around the house. Continue Reading Article

10/12/20

Rebates for WaterSmart Irrigation Devices from the San Diego County Regional Water Authority Rebates for WaterSmart irrigation devices are available! Owners of commercial (including Home Owner Associations), industrial, institutional, public and agricultural property that are served by the San Diego County Water Authority member agencies can access rebates for irrigation equipment to help reduce irrigation water use. Continue Reading Article

09/25/20

County is 98% to Meeting its 2020 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target The County reduced 130,075 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent through the end of 2019, achieving 98% of the CAP’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Learn more in the newly released 2019 Climate Action Plan Annual Monitoring Report. Continue Reading Article

09/11/20

The Road to Emissions Reduction Did you know that driving accounts for 45% of unincorporated county greenhouse gas emissions? Learn what the County is doing to reduce its transportation emissions and see how you can help. Continue Reading Article

09/11/20

October 7th is California Clean Air Day October 7th is California Clean Air Day, where individuals, youth, and organizations throughout the state commit to take action to reduce air pollution in homes, schools, businesses, and local governments. Take the pledge for clean air! Continue Reading Article

09/11/20

New Incentives Help Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the Region SANDAG and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District have partnered with CALeVIP to bring electric vehicle charger incentives to San Diego County. The opportunity will make electric vehicle charger installations easier and more affordable for businesses, commercial properties, multifamily residences, and local government facilities throughout the region. Continue Reading Article

08/21/20

Educating and Engaging the Community on Sustainability Matters Community education and engagement are two primary initiatives of CAP implementation efforts. Each year, the County participates in multiple community events to share how it works to protect the environment and how residents can help. Learn about outreach events held in 2019 to promote sustainability in the community. Continue Reading Article

08/21/20

Reducing Outdoor Water Use Conserves a Precious Resource and Contributes to Greenhouse Gas Reductions The average Californian uses 85 gallons of water per day at home, with 30-60% of this water used outdoors, mostly for landscaping. In June 2020, the County of San Diego updated its Landscaping Ordinance to reduce outdoor water use, save a precious resource, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continue Reading Article

08/21/20

Enhance Your Health by Supporting Your Local Food System Would you like to know where you can get local, fresh, seasonal organic produce? Or do you have fruit trees that produce more fruit than your family can consume but you don’t want to go to waste? The Live Well San Diego Food System Initiative can help. Continue Reading Article

07/09/20

County Garners Recognition for Sustainability Programs Innovative services and programming that provide parks, libraries, roads, fire protection, and public safety contribute to a secure, healthy, and thriving community. In 2020, the National Association of Counties recognized the County with Achievement Awards for its sustainability-related programs. Continue Reading Article

07/09/20

Trail Etiquette: The Right Way to Determine Right-of-Way The County of San Diego oversees more than 360 miles of trails at over a hundred parks and preserves. Most trails are multi-use, welcoming visitors on foot, bike and horse. To navigate trails safely, it’s important to understand who has the right of way. Continue Reading Article

07/09/20

Improving Energy Efficiency Helps Save Money and the Environment Your path to energy efficiency doesn’t stop at purchasing an efficient appliance. Learn about several ways to ensure that your home is running as efficiently as possible, which will help you to save on energy costs and reduce maintenance costs. Continue Reading Article

06/12/20

Earth Day Goes Virtual County residents shared their appreciation of the Earth Day website the County of San Diego Land Use and Environment Group created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd. The website features activities, videos, and virtual tours to give children, teens, adults and families a fun way to enjoy Earth Day even though beaches, parks and trails were closed due to COVID-19. Continue Reading Article

06/12/20

Fresh, Seasonal Produce at Your Local Farmers’ Market The warm rays of summer are out and now is a great time to enjoy sweet, juicy strawberries, cherries, peaches, and watermelon. You can find these refreshing, seasonal treats at 36 Certified Farmers’ Markets and 21 farm stands throughout the region. Continue Reading Article

06/12/20

Sustainable Summer Activities for Kids With the start of summer and after several months of the stay home orders, many parents may be wondering how to keep their children active and engaged. Through the Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Diego County Library, there are several options to keep kids busy with sustainability-focused activities. Continue Reading Article

05/15/20

Composting: Nature’s Recycling Food scraps and yard waste comprise 34 percent of waste in the unincorporated area landfills. Learn how to divert food scraps and yard waste from the landfill with composting. Continue Reading Article

05/15/20

Heavy Weight Recycling: Construction Debris is Key to Meeting Goals Each year, an estimated 34% of the waste that goes to landfills in San Diego is construction and demolition debris. On April 1, 2020, the County enacted changes to its Construction and Demolition ordinance to increase diversion from landfills, conserve landfill capacity and comply with State waste diversion requirements. Continue Reading Article

05/15/20

Staying Safe On Your Next Bike Ride Bicycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly, and affordable way to get around. You can ride your bike to the grocery store, or to take in scenic mountain or coastal views. In honor of National Bike Month, here are some tips on getting around on your bike safely. Continue Reading Article

04/22/20

Happy Earth Day 2020! Today is Earth Day – a day we celebrate our long and important history of promoting sustainability and environmental protection in daily life and public policy. Continue Reading Article

04/02/20

Solar Rays Power the Golden State Did you know California has the largest installed solar capacity of any U.S. state, as much as the next six top solar producing states combined? Solar installations in California can support over seven million households. See how the County of San Diego is supporting solar power at residential properties. Continue Reading Article

04/02/20

Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years of Action On April 22nd of every year one billion people from around the globe celebrate Earth Day, a day of action to promote environmental protection in daily life and public policy. This year, April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of the very first Earth Day. Continue Reading Article

04/02/20

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Teleworking Teleworking, or telecommuting, is an arrangement in which an employee performs work at a remote worksite (such as home, library, or another location) for a specified portion of the workweek. When the conditions are appropriate and teleworking is implemented, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increased air quality can occur. Continue Reading Article

03/06/20

Expanding the number of trees in San Diego County The County of San Diego is working to increase the number of trees at County parks and open space preserves. As part of its Climate Action Plan, the County is implementing a tree planting program for the unincorporated county to plant a minimum of 3,500 trees annually! Continue Reading Article

03/06/20

Strong branches: How trees benefit our everyday lives Trees are a beautiful part of San Diego’s landscape wherever they are found – on urban streets downtown, lining boulevards, and peppered throughout canyons, open spaces, and on mountainsides that crisscross the county. Trees offer us so many benefits across all areas of our lives, it is easy to overlook some of them. Learn more about a few of the benefits of trees, including economic, environmental, health, and social benefits. Continue Reading Article

03/06/20

Landscaping for your climate zone with native plants saves water and attracts friendly visitors! Did you know that you can see more species of birds in San Diego County than in any other county in the United States? From the coastal prairie zone to the desert zone, our region supports a wide range of climactic conditions. Understanding these climactic zone conditions help to determine how well different types of landscaping will survive and thrive in your yard. Continue Reading Article

02/10/20

Reducing outdoor water use California’s year-round sun and ideal weather can help grow beautiful gardens and lawns, but often it can require large amounts of water to keep plants looking great. Reducing outdoor water use doesn’t have to mean changing a beautiful garden oasis though – just being creative about where the water comes from. A low-cost way to capture free rainwater is with rain barrels. Continue Reading Article

02/10/20

Quick tips on how to save water Did you know that 30-60% of water California households consume is for outdoor usage? View simple changes for ways you can conserve water in your home and yard that can result in significant savings. Continue Reading Article

02/10/20

Keeping stormwater drains, rivers, lakes, and oceans free of hazardous waste One of San Diego region’s most valuable natural resource is water and keeping our waterways clean is a concern of most residents. One way our waterways can be negatively impacted is from hazardous waste and other pollutants entering our stormwater system. See how you can help prevent stormwater pollution with a few simple steps. Continue Reading Article

01/10/20

Enjoy your new year sustainably The beginning of any new year allows for a new start. This new year is unique as it provides an opportunity to think about what the next decade might bring. Thinking long term and making positive choices work together with sustainability. Here are simple practices that can be considered to incorporate sustainability into your daily life in the new year. Continue Reading Article

01/13/20

Winter Energy Savings Stay warm this winter while saving on your home energy bills by following a few simple tips. Continue Reading Article

01/10/20

Walking or biking can do more than kick-starting a healthy New Year's resolution The start of a new year is the time when many people resolve to practice healthier habits, often dedicating to eat better, exercise more, and improve overall personal health. See how walking or bicycling to work or to complete an errand, can help increase your activity levels and provide multiple benefits to both you and the community. Continue Reading Article

12/12/19

Fresh, Seasonal Holiday Feasts This festive time of year offers many opportunities to enjoy special meals with friends and family. It is also a great time to try new recipes that highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients. Continue Reading Article

12/12/19

Don't 'waste' the holidays away! Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, American household waste increases by more than 25 percent. Here are four zero waste and eco-friendly gift ideas from San Diego County’s ReThink Waste that can make the holidays more meaningful. Continue Reading Article

12/11/19

Are you ready to own an Electric Vehicle? The County is making it easier. On October 16, 2019, the County Board of Supervisors approved an Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadmap. The EV Roadmap establishes actions that the County will take to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the County’s unincorporated area and encourage EV ownership among residents while helping to meet the state vehicle and charging infrastructure goals in the next decade. Continue Reading Article

10/01/19

Ride Free and Ride Share This Week! In the unincorporated county, 45% of greenhouse gas emissions come from cars and trucks. The average American car emits one pound of carbon for each mile driven. Free Ride Day is on October 2nd. Ride Share Week, September 30 – October 4, promotes taking transit, carpooling or vanpooling. Continue Reading Article

10/02/19

Recycling Do's and Don'ts It’s happened before…you’re standing at the recycling bin holding a greasy pizza box, a slightly dirty take-out Styrofoam container, or a used coffee cup and you wonder, “is this recyclable?” In hope or haste, you make your decision. But did you make the right choice? And what are the consequences if you didn’t? Continue Reading Article

09/30/19

Picking up the PACE: Preserving Agriculture in San Diego County With over 5,000 small farms and 360 registered organic growers, San Diego County has the largest number of small farms in California and the highest number of organic farms in the country. Just head out to pick apples in Julian, peruse the rainbow of produce at a local farmers markets, or witness the influx of farm to table restaurants and you quickly see how agriculture and farming feed the local economy, particularly in unincorporated areas. Continue Reading Article

10/02/19

Are YOU Ready for a Wildfire? Wildfire season is upon us. It may not seem like it with the amount rain we received this winter and spring. But all that rain led to an abundant growth in vegetation, which in hot, dry temperatures, becomes the perfect fuel for fires. Continue Reading Article

08/21/19

County on Track to Meet 2020 Emissions Reduction Target! The County is excited to announce the release of the 2018 Annual Monitoring Report, the first in the series of reporting and monitoring requirements, the report describes the County’s implementation efforts supporting the Climate Action Plan (CAP) which was adopted in February 2018. Continue Reading Article

08/05/19

Save Energy On Hot Days Your air conditioner may be working hard these hot, muggy San Diego summer days. Keep cool this summer while saving on your home energy bills by following some important tips. Continue Reading Article

08/15/19

Healthy Ways to Prevent Wasted Food Did you know that 40% of food in the US goes uneaten while 40 million Americans do not have consistent access to adequate and nutritious food? In California, 6 million tons of food is thrown away! Continue Reading Article