East County Magazine
Trump administration’s impact on California’s enviornment and the agencies that work to protect it
Printer-friendly version Federal budget cuts have closed an EPA office and pose significant threat to California’s clean air, water, and clean energy sources By G. A. McNeeley July 25, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — On Thursday, July 10, California’s top leaders in wildfire response, water resources, natural lands and clean energy assembled to discuss budget cuts, staff reductions and more significant
Fanita Ranch challenged again in new lawsuit
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen July 23, 2025 (Santee) — As expected, a coalition of environmental groups including Preserve Wild Santee have filed a new legal challenge against Santee’s biggest residential project, Fanita Ranch, which the City Council most recently approved in June. It was the third time in five years that the Santee City Council gave its approval to
State Parks Photo Contest Running Through Sept. 30
Printer-friendly versionAnza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman East County News Service July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. The California State Parks Foundation
Cottonwood Sand Mine Backers Fail to Dredge Up Enough Votes, as Planners Deadlock
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman …”I have never seen such a destructive project with such negative impacts on the people who live in a community.” — former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, a Jamul resident (photo, left) July 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine is a wash, at least for now. After nearly six hours of testimony, presentations and
INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos via San Diego Humane Society June 29, 2025 (Ramona) — After nearly five months of rehabilitation at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, a young mountain lion injured in a vehicle strike has been successfully released back into the wild. The male mountain lion, estimated to be around 10 months old, was released
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING
Printer-friendly version Photo and story by Karen Pearlman June 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The fate of public access to the Water Conservation Garden in Rancho San Diego is a little less certain after another partner, the San Diego County Water Authority, on Thursday voted to withdraw its funding and participation from the Water Conservation Authority, operators of
SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY
Printer-friendly version Photo at Forester Creek in Santee by Karen Pearlman East County News Services June 27, 2025 (Santee) — If you care about the environment and don’t mind getting a little dirty, then a clean up at Forester Creek may be the perfect fit for you! The San Diego River Park Foundation is having a cleanup event from 8
COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY VOTES JUNE 26 WHETHER TO WITHDRAW FROM WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: PETITION LAUNCHED TO SAVE GARDEN’S FUNDING
Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero June 21, 2025 (San Diego) – – On June 26, San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) will vote on a staff recommendation to end its sponsorship and funding for the Water Conservation Garden. The Garden says accessibility to the public is at risk if SDCWA withdraws, and started an online petition campaign to request that
ENVIRONMENTALISTS SOUND ALARM OVER BUDGET AMENDMENT TO SELL OFF PUBLIC LANDS—INCLUDING FOREST LANDS IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image: Lands proposed for sale in Rep. Darrell Issa’s district June 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Senate Republicans have slipped language into the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” budget reconciliation measure that would allow sale of up to 250 million acres of federal public lands in 11 states including California. The Wilderness Society
COTTONWOOD SAND MINE HEARING POSTPONED DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES; PLANNERS RECOMMEND DENIAL OF PROJECT
Printer-friendly versionUpdate: The hearing has been postponed until July 9. By Karen Pearlman June 13, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Technical difficulties with audiovisual needs postponed the San Diego County Planning Commission meeting today, delaying for at least a month an agenda item about a controversial sand mine being planned for East County. The 9 a.m. meeting at the county’s
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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.
BARONA RESORT & CASINO BECOMES 1ST TRIBAL RESORT IN U.S. TO EARN LEED™ GOLD CERTIFICATION FROM U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
Printer-friendly version April 16, 2010 (San Diego)– Barona Resort & Casino announced yesterday that it has achieved Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED™-EB) rating system. Barona is the first tribal resort in the nation to earn the internationally recognized certification for the design and operation of high
EAST COUNTY EARTH DAY APRIL 25 ON MT. HELIX
Printer-friendly version April 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The first annual East County Earth Day will be held on Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the ampitheater on the top of Mt. Helix. In addition to learning about sustainability and eco-friendly practices, visitors can enjoy live music and presentations ranging from falconry to aquatic
FOREST SERVICE PLAN TO CLEAR VEGETATION IN PINE VALLEY & MT. LAGUNA DRAWS CRITICISM; WOULD DAMAGE 1,000 ACRES OF CHAPARRAL, GROUP SAYS
Printer-friendly version April 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a 5,000 acre “Mount Laguna and Pine Valley Community Defense and Healthy Restoration Project” to include prescribed burns, tree thinning and shredding of brush to “reduce the risk to life, property and resource values from an unusually severe wildland fire event, and to improve fire
FREE CAMPING AT COUNTY PARKS ON EARTH DAY
Printer-friendly version April 4, 2010 (San Diego) — The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation invites the public to kick off Earth Day on April 22 by camping free for one night at any of eight camping parks. "What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by getting outdoors?” said Brian Albright, Director of County
CONSERVATION IN BLOOM: REAP REWARDS AT SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL APRIL 24
Printer-friendly version Event highlights water conservation, cultural conservation, and Cuyamaca College’s biggest plant sale of the year April 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) — On Saturday, April 24, from 9am-4pm, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden, and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public
GREEN RUSH NEEDED: CAN DOERR FIND US ALL A NETSCAPE MOMENT?
Printer-friendly version By Kathleen Connell, M.A Republished with permission from her blog http://www.missiontohumanity.com One of my favorite Venture Capitalists, John Doerr, is looking for that clean tech killer app that startles and then sends the thundering herds of start-ups across the wetland plains of Silicon Valley–that bullish scent, that feverish Valley buzz, the gridlock on highway 101–and those returns! These
EMPOWERING HOMEOWNERS & BUSINESS OWNERS TO SAVE MONEY WHILE GOING GREEN
Printer-friendly version Empowered Energy Solutions finds hot market for rapid residential audit program By Dennis Moore March 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Saving money while converting to green energy sources is viewed by many consumers as both desirable and a necessity in this day and age. At the forefront of this movement is Empowered Energy Solutions, a Solana
DIGGING UP DINNER: GET IN ON THE GROWING TREND AND RAISE YOUR OWN VEGETABLES
Printer-friendly version Article courtesy of Bonnie Plants March 19, 2010 (San Diego) — Across the country this spring, more Americans will be cutting out sections of lawn, retiring flower beds, building raised vegetable beds and turning their spare time over to gardening. Many of them will be first-timers, inspired to try their hand at tilling the soil for economic
WATER-SMART PLANT FAIR MARCH 20: MORE BEAUTY WITH LESS WATER
Printer-friendly version Attendees Eligible to Win Home Landscape Re-Design March 18, 2010 (El Cajon) — San Diegans are invited to attend this year’s spring gardening season kick-off event on Saturday, March 20, 2010. The Water Conservation Garden, in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric will open the spring planting season by offering a large variety of elegant drought
FREEBIE ALERT: WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
Printer-friendly version March 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – One of East County’s treasures is The Water Conservation Garden. Sunset Magazine calls it one of the “Top 10 Gardens of the West.” This is a beautiful and relaxing place to spend a leisurely afternoon. However, it’s also a learning experience! We all know our water rates have gone
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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.