Green Scene

ENVIRONMENTALISTS SAY COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY AND CITY OF SAN DIEGO ARE VIOLATING LAWS BY PUMPING DOWN LAKE HODGES, LEAVING GREBE NESTS “HIGH AND DRY”

Updated with City of San Diego response and a wildlife biologist's reaction

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Grebe and chicks; grebe nest at risk

June 4, 2019 (Escondido) – A coalition of environmental groups has sent an urgent request to the San Diego County Water Authority asking for an emergency directive to halt pumping of water from Lake Hodges which has left grebe nests with eggs “high and dry” for the third time this season. The lake is in the city of San Diego, which has advised ECM today that it is taking steps to address the problem.

Grebes are famed for “dancing” across the water during mating system, drawing visitors for the spectacle. (View video of dancing grebes and a new video titled “Save the Grebe Chicks of Lake Hodges.”) 

The letter, signed by the Sierra Club, San Diego Audubon Society and four other environmental organizations, states that an estimated 300 eggs have been lost recently at Lake Hodges, from Western and Clark’s Grebes nests, some just days from hatching. 

PEÑASQUITOS PRESERVE REOPENS AFTER DNA TEST PROVES LION KILLED IS SAME ONE THAT ATTACKED BOY

By Miriam Raftery


June 1, 2019 (Rancho Peñasquitos) – The Rancho Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve has reopened to the public after DNA testing proved that a mountain lion killed by state wildlife officers is the same one that attacked a 4-year-old boy.

WILDLIFE OFFICERS KILL MOUNTAIN LION SUSPECTED OF ATTACKING BOY IN PEÑASQUITOS PRESERVE

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Mountain lion tracks, CC by SA-NC
 
May 28, 2019 (Rancho Peñasquitos) – After yesterday’s attack on a 4-year-old boy at the Rancho Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve run by the city of San Diego, wildlife officers investigating at the scene spotted mountain lion tracks and were approached by a lion that appeared to have little fear of humans. This is abnormal behavior for normally reclusive mountain lions, so the officers shot and killed the lion to protect public safety, according to the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.
 
It is not yet confirmed that this is the same lion that attacked the child, who suffered non-life threatening head injuries. DNA samples from the boy have been shipped to a CDFW Wildlife Forensic Laboratory in Sacramento along with the lion carcass for a necropsy and DNA analysis to confirm whether this was the animal responsible for the attack. The lion will also be tested for rabies.
 
Kirsten MacIntyire at CDFW confirms the lion was a female but that there were no signs of cubs.

RIVER DAYS HIKE AND RIVER CLEAN-UP JUNE 7-8 IN LAKESIDE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

May 28, 2019 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside RiverPark Foundation announces two events next weekend.  A guided hike originally set in May has been rescheduled for Saturday,b June 8 due to rain last month. Plus, you can help clean-up the River Park on either Friday or Saturday, June 7-8.  Below are details.

LAKE MORENA RESIDENTS ORGANIZE TO OPPOSE SOLAR FACILITY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 26, 2019 (Lake Morena) – A petition signed by 301 area residents opposed to a Forefront Power’s proposed utility-scale solar energy facility in the Lake Morena area of Campo has been submitted to Supervisor Dianne Jacob this week.  

CALLING ALL SHEEP COUNTERS: BORREGO BIGHORN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2019 (Anza-Borrego)–Volunteers are needed for the 49th annual Bighorn Sheep Count in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park July 5-7, with an orientation session June 22nd.  If you want to enjoy the thrill of seeing these elusive and majestic animals while helping gather important data to help protect the species, please contact AB.Sheepcount@parks.ca.gov with questions and be sure to fill out the RSVP form on Page 2 of this flyer.

FOOD WASTE FUELS LA MESA’S DIESEL FLEET

 
 
East County News Service
 
May 21, 2019 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa’s diesel fleet now runs on renewable diesel, an environmentally sustainable, non-petroleum fuel sourced from food waste and agricultural products.  
 
The change to renewable diesel will reduce greenhouse emissions from the City’s diesel fleet by approximately 65%.

SAN DIEGO RIVER DAYS: TWO WEEKENDS OF FREE NATURE ACTIVITIES MAY 11-12 AND MAY 18-19

 

 

East County News Service

May 5, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego River Days is back for its 16th year with a full calendar of interactive activities; including hikes, bike rides, volunteer projects, bird walks, animal tracking adventures, open houses, tours, artists painting, a star party, fishing, a full moon hike and much more.

BOARD APPROVES FIRST PHASE IMPROVEMENTS FOR POPULAR LINDO LAKE COUNTY PARK

 

 

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 1, 2019 (Lakeside) - San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to move ahead with a $7.5 million first-phase improvement project for the popular Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside.

SPRING HIKES IN COUNTY PARKS

 

 

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

 

Find details below provided by County Parks: 

WILD ZONE: A CENTURY-OLD FEDERAL LAW IS FOR THE BIRDS

 

 

By Renée Owens

Photo: Endangered least Bell’s vireo checking its nest

April 23, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This year’s spectacular rainfall has finally ended our eight-year drought and the bounty of spring is one for the records: wildflowers are blooming far and wide, butterflies are migrating by the thousands, birds are nesting early, and the sound of SDG&E chopping at trees fills the air. What? The latter should not be a rite of spring and there’s a very good reason why.

EARTH TALK: SUSTAINABLE TRENDS IN HOME RENOVATION AND DESIGN

 

 

By Sam Bowman, Earth Talk

April 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Sustainability has become a trend in home renovation and design, but which aspects of it are trending in the green building niche right now? As more people become passionate about eco-friendly living, sustainable innovations grow and become more accessible for anyone looking to create a greener house for themselves. When considering sustainability, trending items are not just about what is fashionable; it’s also about which are doing the most for the environment.

EARTHTALK®: WHICH SECTORS ARE THE BIGGEST DRIVERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

 
 
From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine
 
Photo:  WWF and Knorr are working together to encourage people around the world to diversify their diets so as to include more climate-friendly foods — such as fonio, a West African grain which is not only nutritious but also easy to grow without lots of chemical inputs. Credit: Communication JOKKALE, FlickrCC.
 
April 17, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Dear EarthTalk: A chef told me that our food choices are the major driver of climate change around the world, but it seems to me that electricity generation and transportation are really more the problem, no? -- Melanie G., Moodus, CT

HOME OF THE FUTURE: ALMOST HERE TODAY?

 

 

By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, EarthTalk

Photo:  This small rooftop wind turbine from Netherlands-based start-up The Archimedes can generate 1,500 kilowatt-hours of energy each year, which would account for about 15% of the typical American household's annual energy needs

April 12, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Dear EarthTalk: Given all the advances in residential household efficiency, can you paint a picture of what the home of the future will look like?

—Jennifer C., Valmeyer, IL

WHAT SDG&E’S TIME-OF-USE RATE MEANS FOR YOU

 

 

Source: Sullivan Solar Power  

April 5, 2019 (San Diego) -- Beginning on March 1, 2019 SDG&E started defaulting its residential ratepayers to a new form of billing for electricity, a time-of-use rate known as “TOUDR1.” They plan to default 700,000 – 1,000,000 ratepayers per month to this time-of-use rate through mid-2020. SDG&E is mandated to provide two notices to ratepayers informing them 30 and 60 days prior to defaulting a customer, providing opportunities for ratepayers to opt out of being defaulted. See below for more details, or click here to RSVP for a seminar near you to learn more and speak with us in person.

CALIFORNIA SENATOR BRIAN JONES TOURS BAKER ELECTRIC HOME ENERGY

 

 

East County News Service

April 2, 2019 (San Diego) -- Baker Electric Home Energy, a leading San Diego/Escondido company specializing in advanced solar systems, home batteries as well as heating and air conditioning services and smart home solutions, hosted State Senator Brian Jones (Republican, Santee) on Friday, March 22.  The Senator’s visit was intended to gain a greater understanding of solar and home battery technology as well as renewable energy’s impact on the San Diego job market and economy. 

SLEEPY JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS GETS A WAKE-UP CALL: PROPOSED MAJOR ENERGY PROJECT DRAWS CONCERNED CROWD

 

 

By R. Person

March 27, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Residents of the sleepy 1930s resort town Jacumba Hot Springs are awakening to the realities of a massive solar project planned for the edge of town on a site previously dedicated to a walled equestrian housing project.

COUNTY SUPERVISORS TAKE STEP TOWARD POSSIBLE POTATO CHIP ROCK PARKING

 

 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo via Miriam Raftery 

March 27, 2019 (Ramona) - The County Board of Supervisors took a step Wednesday toward the possibility of building a safe parking area for thousands of hikers who park and traipse dangerously close to traffic along Highway 67 in Ramona to get to Mount Woodson and the popular Potato Chip Rock trail.

EARTH DAY GATHERING AT DESERT VIEW TOWER APRIL 20 FEATURES LIVE MUSIC, WILDFLOWER HIKES AND HEALING

 
 
East County News Service
 
March 23, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- An Earth Day Celebration at the Desert View Tower (1 In-Ko Pah Park Rd., Jacumba Hot Springs) will be held on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
 
"We’ll have live music featuring local artists Damian and Marion Bowles on electric guitar and mandolin playing traditional American, blues, Classic Rock, Reggae," says Rebecca Person.  Other entertainment includes Mountain Mayhem, Stephen Cogswell, Meemusica and Jason Berneke and Grammy-nominated Shamanic healer Windwalker.  There will also be food provided by Gloria’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine, Jay’s 5 Star (vegan) Tacos and vegan treats by Valley Girl, Sweet Surrender and Vanessa’s Golden Lemonade.  Find native plants for sale, plant identification and wildflower hikes, farm products and displays, natural beauty, healing therapies (crystal bowl sound healing, intuitive counseling, reiki energy work, acupuncture, ionic detox foot bath) alpaca yarns, nutrition and EMF education and basketry.  Plus, you'll have a chance to explore In Ko Pah Boulder Park with its unique stone carvings. 

STUDY: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S COASTAL MOUNTAIN LIONS HEADED FOR EXTINCTION

 

 

Big cats' habitat fragmentation highlights need for wildife crossings

Source:  Center for Biological Diversity

March 22, 2019 (Los Angeles) - Mountain lions in California’s Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains are heading rapidly toward extinction, a new study in Ecological Applications finds. Researchers with UCLA, UC Davis and the National Park Service found that habitat loss and fragmentation have driven the populations to dangerously low levels of genetic diversity.

LA MESA EARTH DAY FESTIVAL APRIL 27 FEATURES PEDAL FOR THE PLANET TRAIL RIDE

 

 

East County News Service

March 20, 2019 (La Mesa) – A Pedal for the Planet Trail Ride, arts and crafts, vendors, STEM activities, educational materials, a bounce house and food trucks are all part of La Mesa’s Earth Day Festival.

Sponsored by the La Mesa Park and Recreational Foundation, La Mesa’s Earth Day Festival will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa. The event promises “fun for all ages.”

For more information, contact ci.la-mesa.ca.us or call Misty at 619-667-1319.

MIGRATORY BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER ACROSS REGION

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – This year’s super bloom season has brought an added bonus.  “Butterflies are gracing us with even more color,” says photographer Bob Kutscher, who snapped this image south of Clark Lake in the Anza-Borrego desert.  Swarms of the Painted Lady butterflies on their migratory path from Mexico are being reported across Southern California.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: THE SOLAR REVOLUTION—INVESTING IN SUNSHINE

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson. Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My spouse and I will be getting a substantial refund this year from our income taxes.

We both agree that the refund should go into improving our home. We really want to install a solar system. Is this an improvement that would get us a good return on our investment?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

--Jannine S. Crest, CA.

IN THE FACE OF MORE FREQUENT, LARGER CALIF. WILDFIRES, HOW SAN DIEGO BUSINESSES CAN PREPARE FOR UNEXPECTED POWER INTERRUPTIONS

 

 

By Dan Svejnar, Vice President, Head of Commercial North America, Centrica Business Solutions

 

March 12, 2019 (San Diego) -- Few businesses actually spend the time to consider the impact a power outage could have on their operations and revenue. When the power goes out, even for as short as two hours, the economic engine stalls for businesses of any size. Without electricity, cash registers are inoperable, and assembly lines grind to a halt.

CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO’S “TRANSIT TOGETHER” REPORT DETAILS HOW NEW BALLOT MEASURE COULD FUND TRANSIT, POTHOLE REPAIRS AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

 

 

East County News Service

March 11, 2019 (San Diego) -- Land use and transportation think tank Circulate San Diego released a report this week detailing how an MTS ballot measure could finance transformative transit projects, road repair and safety programs. Transportation leaders and advocates hosted a press conference at the Old Transit Center.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN STATE PARKS

 

 

East County News Service

March 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – On Saturday, April 13, Californians will come together to make a difference in state parks across California for the State Park Service’s annual Earth Day celebration. You’re invited to participate in special volunteer projects focused on climate resiliency, or join in a new family-friendly open house.

MARCH 21 SCOPING MEETING ON JACUMBA VALLEY RANCH SOLAR PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The proposed 90 megawatt Jacumba Valley Ranch (JVR) solar project on 1,345 acres next to the Jacumba Hot Springs airport has a project footprint “much larger than the small town that is right next door,” says Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group.

An environmental impact report will be prepared and public input  is sought on what should be included in the EIR.  Comments are due by April 8.  A scoping meeting will be held on March 21, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Highland Community Center, 44681 Old Highway 80, Jacumba Hot Springs.

Below is the county’s public notice with full details:

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