April 22, 2011 (The World) – Happy Earth Day! This year, organizers are encouraging people around the world to help create “ A Billion Acts of Green” – actions of environmental service and advocacy aimed at preserving our environment and our planet.

Obama administration withholds protection after declaring more help is needed

April 13, 2011 (San Diego).— Responding to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity,(CBD) the Obama administration today denied Endangered Species Act protection to one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the Hermes copper butterfly. The butterfly was instead placed on the growing list of “candidate” species -- even though the CBD warns that the yellow-orange, spotted butterfly is threatened with extinction extinction.

Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden

April 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--A garden party of sorts is on tap Saturday, April 9, at Cuyamaca College, but don’t expect cucumber sandwiches, tea, and the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D at this event. Instead, an international food court, a “bug zone,” and petting zoo for kids, a plant sale, horticulture demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitors, and much more is in store at the 18th Spring Garden Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 29, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Cuyamaca College will again provide free classes and hands-on work experience in green building and sustainable energy to eligible students through a training program funded by San Diego Workforce Partnership. The $1.6 million in funding comes from federal stimulus money along with grants from the State Energy Program, Workforce Investment Act, State Energy Sector Partnership and others.

Robert Garber, interim president of Cuyamaca College, said the green building program is part of the college’s commitment to train workers for the expanding green economy.

New solar factory in San Diego to create 450 local jobs and additional 1,000 indirect jobs

March 23, 2011 (San Diego) San Diego Gas & Electric has announced a 25-year contract for up to 150 megawatts of solar energy to be generated at the Imperial Solar Energy Center West’s proposed 1,057-acre solar energy facility near El Centro. 

In addition, Soitec announced its intention to build a new solar panel manufacturing factory in the San Diego region, creating 450 local jobs and more than 1,000 additional indirect jobs.

March 9, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego-based Sempra Generation’s Copper Mountain Solar project, currently the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the U.S., has been awarded “Solar Project of the Year” by Renewable Energy World as part of the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards.

March 3, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your gardening gloves and head on out to the SanTree Fest, a fun family event in Santee.  Guests can volunteer to help plant  over 50  trees or assist with river cleanup, enjoy live musical entertainment, sample healthy foods, enjoy kid crafts, and visit interactive environmental booths.

On our visit last year, some booths were also giving away plants, flowers, and even a potted pine tree. Kids and grown-ups had fun getting dirty--while helping to beautify the community.

Smart City San Diego kicks off at UC San Diego, unveiling one of most comprehensive electric vehicle infrastructure plans in U.S. ;Mayor Sanders says San Diego can become foremost resource-conscious region in America

By Betty McMillen

January 26, 2011 (Lakeside)--Recently the Cub Scout pack #3 from Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic School donated 20 bird nesting boxes to the Lakeside River Park Conservancy. The boys had built the boxes at their meetings with the help of their dads. While they were building , the scouts also learned about conservancy and animal habitat.

January 19, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego River Park Foundation announces a series of events to raise funds for establishing trails, parks, gardens and visitor centers along the 52-mile-long San DIego River.  The events include San Diego Days, San Diego RiverFest, and a Healthy River Run.

January 12, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) -- Friends of the Water Conservation Garden, a new organization of community volunteers, is now governing and operating the Water Conservation Garden.

“San Diego is steadily establishing itself as a leader in the emerging clean technology industry. With our entrepreneurial business culture, an educated workforce and plenty of skilled labor, our region is ideal for supporting this vibrant new sector.”--Mayor Jerry Sanders

December 22, 2010 (San Diegio) --San Diego County stands out as an established leader in California in transforming the business environment to leverage the growing clean, green-tech economy, according to research released last week by The San Diego Foundation. 

December 8, 2010 (Santee) – At the Association of California Water Agencies conference in Indian Wells on December 2, Padre Dam’s Santee Lakes received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, ACWA’s honor for innovative resource management.

December 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The public is invited to enjoy holiday-merry making at The Water Conservation Garden’s third annual ‘Holiday in the Garden’ event. The five-acre water-saving garden will be illuminated with thousands of energy-saving lights, courtesy of SDG&E.