Announcements/News:

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPENED TO HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS.

The Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (RCD) offers scholarships to encourage students interested in conservation, agriculture, environmental science, natural resources, biology or natural sciences to obtain technical expertise and pursue careers in resource conservation or agriculture. Five scholarships of $1000 each are now available.

Applications must be received by April 5, 2013.

Click here to proceed to Scholarship page for downloadble application.

Training courses for San Diego schools coming up!

26-27 February, 2013: Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: a Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment. A two-day course where you will learn fun and interactive ways to increase availability and consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables at your school. For more information and to register, please visit www.healthyschoolenvironment.org.

25 April, 2013: Garden Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE). A workshop for school staff and community partners focusing on using the garden as a tool for teaching about nutrition and healthy eating. This workshop will take place at Lakeside Middle School. Click here for more information and how to sign up.

26 April, 2013: GENE Train-the-Trainer. This workshop is a unique training opportunity for experienced garden educators and support professionals who would like to replicate the GENE workshop for educators in their area. The workshop will take place in Lakeside – please note participants must also attend the GENE course on the 25th. Click here for more information.

The RCD of Greater San Diego County has an opening on the seven-person Board of Directors

You may to view the vacancy notice. This vacancy will be a full-term four-year appointment through 11/2016.

BURN IT WHERE YOU BUY IT. Help stop the spread of invasive pests and diseases.

you may view flyer by clicking on logo below

What You Can Do

Don't risk starting a new infestation of an invasive insect or disease.

You have the power to save trees.

Don't take firewood with you on your camping trip, RV adventure, or up to your hunting camp. Don't bring firewood back from your second home to your place in the suburbs. Don't bring it with you on your scout's camping trip. Instead, buy it where you'll burn it.

You can still have a roaring campfire, or a cozy night in front of the fireplace, if you just know how to burn safe.

VOLUNTARY OAK WOOD QUARANTINE REQUESTED!!!

Please. . .DO NOT MOVE, GIVE OR SELL ANY OAK WOOD FROM YOUR PROPERTY. Please CLICK HERE to learn how to stop the spread of the Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) infestation. For further information contact the RCD of Greater San Diego County at:
619.749.4232 or D3info@rcdsandiego.org

Click on the apple below for the:
San Diego Regional School Garden Resource Center

School Gardens

Formed in 1999, the San Diego Regional School Garden Resource Center (RC) assists K-12 educators interested in using the garden as a tool to teach nutrition, agriculture, nature, and other school subjects in science, math, writing, reading, art, music, and others. The RC acts as a resource clearinghouse for teachers and school districts interested in garden-based nutrition education. The RC provides practical training, ongoing support and related resources for educators interested in programs aimed at encouraging students to appreciate fresh food and learn about the whole food cycle. The San Diego Regional School Garden Resource Center operates through a contract with the California Department of Education.

Plant Giveaway
Each spring, the Resource Center organizes an annual give-away of herbs and veggie seedlings from Altman Plants of Vista. One hundred teachers will receive a flat of robust warm season seedlings including peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and more.

Photo: Plants waiting for pick-up in front of Casita Elementary’s school garden in Vista.

Promoting School Garden Sustainability
How do you sustain a school garden over multiple years, after that one passionate parent has “graduated”, or your grant money runs out? Several schools have found ways to fund their programs and to actively engage children and teachers in using the garden year after year.

To read more about how seven San Diego County schools have sustained their garden programs for more than 5 years, read this article, “Plant Good People and Cultivate Relationships,” based on interviews of staff, parents, and volunteers.

Teacher Training Workshops –
1. “Creating and Sustaining Your School Garden”
This hands-on organic gardening workshop are perfect for anyone who would like to learn more about school garden practicalities, ranging from garden design to irrigation and pest management, to curriculum connections. It is a comprehensive, intensive introduction which will help you start your school garden program next year on the right foot! If you would like to bring this training program to your school district or site, please call (619)562-0096 for more information.

2. Garden Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE)
Garden Enhanced Nutrition GENE will give you lots of ideas for using the garden as a tool for teaching as well as encouraging healthy eating.

See the News section on the right-hand side of this website for upcoming workshops in San Diego, click here for garden-based learning resources, or call (619)562-0096 for more information.

3. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:
A Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment
Offered in partnership with the California Department of Education, Santa Cruz Life Lab, and the UC Davis Children’s Garden Program. This two part training provides tools to support an increase of fresh fruits and vegetables on school campuses through fun, interactive, and skill-building activities. This training will be held in San Diego on February 26-27. For more information please visit www.healthyschoolenvironment.org

To view links to other San Diego organizations that support school gardens, click here.

The San Diego Regional School Garden Resource Center is a member of the California School Garden Network.