ECO: Chollas Creek Community Cleanup

Join Groundwork San Diego in cleaning up and beautifying a neglected space next to Chollas Creek so it can be activated as a community green space. With some TLC (tender loving care), Chollas Creek side areas can provide needed green space for the community and restore native habitat to support wildlife in the area.

Beautification activities will include removing trash and invasive non‑native plants from the area, moving dirt and creating planting areas, working on art projects to bring community character to the space, and other special projects.

• Removing trash, construction, and encampment debris
• Remove a long tall hedge of caster bean plant
• Move dirt piles via wheelbarrow to other locations on‑site to create planting beds for native plants
• Paint tires to start a barrier to protect the lot from future refuse dumping
• Remove invasive weeds on‑site
• Other assorted tasks to beautify the space

• Comfortable working outdoors and using basic gardening tools
• Ability to follow directions from Earth Lab staff or docents
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a group setting

On‑site training provided at the beginning of the shift

Docents or Earth Lab staff will guide volunteers through specific tasks

Please wear closed‑toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves to protect your skin from irritating plants. This opportunity takes place outdoors with little or no shade, so volunteers should wear sun protection such as sunscreen and a hat.

We recommend bringing a water bottle, snack bar, and your favorite work gloves. We will have gloves on‑site if needed. For those DIYers, if you have the ability to bring a wheelbarrow or shovel to move dirt on‑site, that would be greatly appreciated.

Being able to walk on uneven surfaces, carry objects for disposal, move plant cuttings that could be irritating to your skin, dig and shovel dirt and transport in wheelbarrows. Each person can select tasks that match their physical abilities. Unfortunately, this opportunity is not able to make accommodations for individuals with physical limitations and the space where this project takes place is not wheelchair accessible.

When arriving to the event, the Groundwork San Diego sign in sheet includes the liability waiver acknowledgement. No additional documents are needed other than the Hands On San Diego Minor Consent Waiver for volunteers under 18 years old.

If the weather is expected to impact our activities, a notice the day before will be sent to volunteers to cancel the event.

Photos will be taken on‑site. If you do not want your photo taken, please let staff know at signing in and when working in your group.

There will not be a restroom available at this project space. The trash collected can be challenging (very heavy, sharp objects, encampments) so care and good judgement is needed when deciding to pick an object up for disposal. Alert staff if any item you encounter may seem to have a hazardous component so proper handling can be determined.

The mission of Groundwork San Diego‑Chollas Creek is to work at the intersection of social, environmental, and climate justice, grounded in strong university and community partnerships, to deliver climate education, green infrastructure, and climate safe neighborhoods for the Chollas Creek Watershed communities.

Issue Area(s):
Environment, Sports & Recreation

Population Served:
Families, Low‑income communities

Age Minimum (with Adult): 14+, Minimum Age: 18+

Saturday, February 28, 2026 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e‑mail after you sign up. All volunteers must be registered in advance to attend.

Your donation means more volunteers making an impact on San Diego nonprofits, schools, and parks.