East County Earth Day Returns to Mount Helix

East County residents can enjoy an Earth Day celebration right in their own backyard at the second annual East County Earth Day event on Sunday, May 1.

The Mount Helix Park Foundation teamed up with the Jarrett Meeker Foundation to host the free, family-friendly event so that East County residents could celebrate Earth Day without having to drive all the way out to the annual Balboa Park Earth Day event.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mount Helix Amphitheater, 4901 Mount Helix Drive. Shuttle service from Grossmont High School and the San Miguel Fire Station, 10105 Vivera Dr., to the event begins at 10:45 a.m.

Tracey Stotz, executive director of Mount Helix Park Foundation (MHPF), said the partnered with the foundation to help promote the event at all of the district’s schools and that San Diego Gas & Electric is the event’s main sponsor.

“San Diego Gas & Electric was glad to sponsor this event for the local community,” said April Bolduc, media and employee communications manager for SDG&E.

Bolduc said SDG&E also felt directly linked to the cause.

“We have active departments that develop and promote programs and partnerships with our residential and commercial/industrial customers to help them conserve energy in their homes and businesses,” Bolduc said. “We also have partnerships with other agencies like water districts to promote efficient use of water resources.”

Attendees will enjoy a variety of activities including face painting, recycled art projects, beading and seed planting as well as food, guest speakers and music from local high school jazz ensembles.

A variety of eco-friendly and “green” organizations will be present to give demonstrations, talk to the public and help East County residents live as if each day were Earth Day.

Exhibitors include City Farmers, iCommute, I Love a Clean San Diego, Water Conservation Garden, Real Goods Solar, Fair Trade San Diego and many others. A full list of exhibitors can be found on the MHPF website.

 “The focus of the booth will be pollution prevention and focusing on the small things residents can do each day to make a difference in the environment,” said Pauline Martinson, executive director of I Love a Clean San Diego. “We will be having visitors fill out surveys related to pet waste in exchange for giveaways, as well as making buttons for kids.”

Martinson said that ILACSD feels very connected to East County Earth Day because the organization focuses on inland areas in addition to beaches and bays.

“Eighty percent of marine debris originates from inland sources,” Martinson said. “So our outreach to inland areas and East County residents is extremely important.”

Attendees are also invited to donate their used or old prescription eyeglasses to the La Mesa Lions Club. The Lions Club will recycle the eyeglasses for use in third world countries.

While Earth Day only comes once each year, East County residents are invited to live Earth Day every day. Martinson said there are many small, simple ways that residents can help save the Earth—starting with something easy.

“Pick up your dog’s poop,” Martinson said. “Bring a reusable bag ALL of the time and use a reusable mug and water container to reduce your waste.”

Stotz agreed that small steps to help the environment end up making a large difference.

“The easiest way is to cut back on your daily trash: take cloth bags to the market, use washable water bottles and refill them, purchase in bulk so you have less packaging waste,” Stotz said. “This takes work but every little bit helps.” 

Bolduc said there is also a plethora of ways to conserve energy throughout residential homes.  

“Switch as many bulbs as possible in your home to compact fluorescent bulbs, use a low-flow shower head, replace your single-paned windows with double-pane windows, turn off lights and electronic devices when you’re not using them and invest in solar energy,” Bolduc said.

An array of diverse guest speakers from a range of eco-friendly organizations will be present at the event as well.

The speaking schedule on the main stage is as follows:

11:30 a.m.—Bill Tall, City Farmers, "Growing ALL your own food."

12:15 p.m.—Marion Stacey, Hummingbird Rescue, "Hummingbirds in our area."

1:30 p.m.—Zachary Pannier, president of the San Diego Green Building Council, "Re: Green, Your Role in Transforming the Built Environment."

2:15 p.m.—Deborah Jones, I-Commute, "Transportation Alternatives in San Diego."

The Mount Helix Park Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999, works to preserve and enhance the Mount Helix Park, the Mount Helix Amphitheatre and the cross on top of Mount Helix. The organization doesn’t receive any government funding and relies solely on donations to continue to operate the facility and protect the historical site. The public is invited to become a “Friend of the Park” donor and/or to volunteer their time. More information can be found by visiting the Park Foundation website or calling 619-741-4363.

The Jarrett Meeker Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1987, provides wildlife, conservation, and environmental programs to San Diego County children. The organization works to provide once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunities and experiences to all children and young adults throughout San Diego County. Programs include “Ecology is For Everyone,” “Animals in Arms,” and “The Green List.” Donations are accepted on the foundation’s website. Visit the site for more information about available programs.