The Water Conservation Garden

The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026

Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman
 
Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026.
 
The schedule includes educational opportunities, community connection and hands-on learning.
 
Founded in 1999 by the Helix and Otay water districts in response to ongoing drought conditions, The Garden has grown into a premier environmental education destination that inspires visitors to conserve water and nurture resilient landscapes. Operated by a Joint Powers Authority with Helix Water District, Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District stakeholdership, the nonprofit garden attracts guests with its themed display gardens, native butterfly pavilion and educational opportunities. 

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN ABLOOM FOR ANNIVERSARY EVENT

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Mark Robak, chair of the Water Conservation Garden’s joint powers authority

November 21, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College celebrated its 25th anniversary on November 9 with a free celebration commemorating a quarter century of educating the public on water conservation and more. 


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GARDEN YOGA TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS 11AM-NOON IN OCTOBER AT WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

East County News Service
 
Photo generated with Copilot powered by DALL-E 3
 
September 24, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Garden Yoga is a joyful practice and exploration of movement in an alignment informed class appropriate for all levels. Celebrate nature and wellness weekly at The Water Conservation Garden. During October, between 11 a.m. to noon the Garden features garden yoga and would like to invite you if you're open any Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings next month.

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WIEGHORST MUSEUM IN EL CAJON ON REA, AN HISTORIC LANDMARK

East County News Service
 
Photo credit: Wieghorst Museum courtesy City of El Cajon
 
July 25, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon honors the accomplished artist Olaf who lived in our community for 44 years. 
 
You can also arrange private tours and classroom visits, Tuesday through Saturday. By becoming a supporting member of the museum, you can enjoy many benefits such as free year-round admission to the Museum, 10% discount at our Museum Store, and invitations to their exclusive exhibitions, artist’s receptions, and other community events.

HOW TO SPEND A DAY IN EL CAJON | East County Magazine by Alyssa Hiestand, May 26, 2024


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FREE ADMISSIONS AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM AND WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: SECOND FRIDAY EACH MONTH

East County News Service
 
May 29, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – Two of East County’s most unique attractions, both at Cuyamaca College, are offering free admission on the second Friday each month: Heritage of the Americas Museum and the Water Conservation Garden.
 
Visitors can enjoy tours of the garden and museum, participate in scavenger hunts, and pack a picnic lunch. The Garden is dog-friendly.

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HOW TO SPEND A DAY IN EL CAJON

By Alyssa Hiestand

 

May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Just fifteen minutes from Downtown San Diego lies El Cajon, bustling with small businesses, delicious eateries, and more to make any day or night well-spent. Offering an insider perspective, here’s what we’d recommend doing for the ultimate day on Main Street in El Cajon:


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EXPERT FORUM: WHAT'S IN YOUR FAUCET? ISSUES OF WATER QUALITY MAY 18

 

Source:  Helix Public Outreach from Helix Water District

May 4, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden will be holding the second event in their Expert Forum series on Thursday, May 18th at 5:30pm.

A variety of panelists, including Helix Water District's Director of Water Quality, and points of view about drinking water quality will be presented, including ocean water desalination, the pros and cons of bottled water, recycled water and ways that our water is tested.


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1ST ANNUAL ENCHANTED GARDEN GALA DRAWS A CROWD

 

 

By Janis Russell

November 2, 2014 (El Cajon)- The Water Conservation Garden hosted its 1st annual enchanted garden gala on October 18, a fundraising event to help the Garden’s award winning Ms. Smarty-Plants programs and provide seed money for a children’s garden with free play spaces and exploration-based exhibits to help kids learn more about global water cycles, watersheds and water conservation, and animal adaptations. The Garden hoped to raise $100,000 at the event.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.