Monthly newsletter from the City of Chula Vista

Office of Sustainability

Save the Date: 21^st Annual Beautify Chula Vista Day

Mark your calendar for Saturday October 19! Beautify Chula Vista Day is a dynamic community cleanup event organized by the City of Chula Vista and the South Bay Sustainable Communities Network and made strong by thousands of enthusiastic volunteers. Now celebrating its 21st year in 2024, this event has made an extensive impact on the City of Chula Vista as a whole, having reached dozens of focus areas over the years with plans to continue on its trajectory to make a difference in our community. Each year has been successful with the help of our dedicated volunteers who continue to beautify Chula Vista, one project at a time!

In 2023, over 500 volunteers came out to help divert thousands of pounds of debris from ending up in storm drains, waterways, and the ocean. Volunteers also painted over graffiti and removed litter throughout neighborhoods, creeks, and canyons.

If you would like to join our interest list, please click HERE. We will notify you once registration opens.

For questions e-mail Environmental Services at environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov or call 619-691-5122.

We Need Your Input 



The City is updating the 2017 Climate Action Plan this year and we need to know what you think about proposed measures and what is important to you. Please plan to join us at one of our remaining workshops taking place at our library branch locations. You can also provide input at the online survey. We hope you can join us!  More information can be found at this link.  If you have any questions, please contact cdowns@chulavistaca.gov.

Last Call for Energy Benchmarking

To comply with the City of Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance, owners of buildings 20,000 square feet and larger must report their energy use data, otherwise known as energy benchmarking, annually. To report your energy use data or learn more, please visit www.chulavistaca.gov/benchmark.

Nitrogen for Plants

Nitrogen is more responsible for plant growth than any other macronutrient. The nitrogen in soils comes from our atmosphere, but in a form that is not available to plants. So, something needs to happen to allow plants to access the needed nitrogen.  

Typically, landscapes are fertilized with a product containing a synthetic nitrogen produced through an industrial process that uses fossil fuels to turn it into the form which is immediately available to the plant. The synthetic nitrogen does not persist and leaches through the soil, allowing the plant to take up as much of the nutrient as it can as the nitrogen moves past. Overfertilizing with synthetic nitrogen causes excessive vegetative growth that overwhelms the stem and often leads to the plant falling on its side. The excess nitrogen is then carried into the storm drain or finds its way into the water table. 



Another way of introducing plant-available nitrogen into the soil is with plants! The most important of these involves legumes such as beans, peas, clovers, alfalfa and cover crops such as vetches. The legumes partner with soil microbes that transform nitrogen gas into mineral nitrogen which is easily obtainable by the plant. 

There is a third way to enrich soils with nitrogen.  All plant and animal waste materials contain nitrogen.  By adding these materials to soils (typically done in a stabilized form as compost) it is possible to provide plants with a slow-release form of nitrogen.  Compost contains a far less concentration of nitrogen but provides it to the plants as it is needed.  The natural organic matter (compost) enriches soil nitrogen and minimizes the nitrogen loss.  Microbes gradually decompose the organic matter and in the process release nitrogen in its mineral form which is readily available to the plants.

Speaking of Compost

Chula Vista residents, come and get your compost on Saturday August 31 from 8:00-12:00 at the at the Otay Landfill (1700 Maxwell Road). Bring your shovels for loading, containers to fill and don’t forget the tarps to cover your compost!  

You can find all the free compost events on the City’s calendar (www.chulavistaca.gov) and on the Sustainability events calendar (www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/clean).  

Master Composter 

There is still time to sign up for the City’s Master Composter Training course for fall 2024.  The first class is on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 6:00 PM-8:30 PM and will continue to meet every Tuesday through Oct. 29.  

Attending the seven-week course provides hands-on experience in the multiple methods of composting and teaches the importance of building healthy soils.  So, if you are interested in learning the ins and outs of composting, this is for you!  No experience required.  

For more information or to register for the course, email Katharine@thelivingcoast.org or call 619-409-5900. 

Save The Date – County of San Diego Summer 2024 Community Climate Conversations 

The County of San Diego is hosting a series of events to discuss the Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) and you are invited to participate. Community climate conversations will be in-person and open to the public. Each event will include a brief introduction of the RDF, followed by community-led group discussions around community priorities, strengths, and resources related to local decarbonization efforts. The key topics noted for each gathering were identified by our community partners as areas of interested to the local communities. 

We hope you will participate and help promote these events. More details and registration links to come:  

Coastal San Diego (Supervisorial District 3): July 9, 2024, 5:30pm-7:30pm 

Location: Mira Mesa Library 

Key topics: Natural Climate Solutions, Food Systems & Circular Economy, Transportation  

Southern San Diego (Supervisorial District 1): July 15, 2024, 5:30-7:30pm  

Location: San Ysidro Library  

Key topics: Transportation, Food Systems, Energy 

Eastern San Diego (Supervisorial District 2): July 18, 2024, 4-6pm 

Location: Alpine Library  

Key topics: Energy, Transportation, Natural Climate Solutions 

Northern San Diego (Supervisorial District 5): July 22, 2024, 5:30pm-7:30pm,  

Location: Palomar College  

Key topics: Energy, Transportation, Food Systems & Circular Economy 

For more information please visit: www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sustainability/regional-decarbonization.html  

Celebrating Successful Electric Bicycle Demo Days for Employees 

City staff recently had the opportunity to try electric bikes, or e-bikes, during their lunch break at one of two different events. On June 11, employees were able to stop by the Civic Center Library parking lot to enjoy pizza and take a spin around the parking lot on a designated bike course. Two days later, the event headed to the city’s Public Works facility to give that team an option to try these fun bikes on a closed riding course. Participants were excited to get the chance to try these bicycles in a safe environment and some even considered looking into the option of eventually buying an e-bike. 

These events were part of SANDAG’s efforts to promote the different modes of transportation commuters in San Diego County can use to get to work. At both events, the SANDAG team provided information on various transit options and programs available in our region including transit (bus, trolley, train), vanpool, biking and more. Taking alternate modes of transportation reduces greenhouse emissions which supports the goals in our Climate Action Plan. Plus, it may make the commute a bit more enjoyable. 



These events wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of our partners. SANDAG’s Sustainable Transportation team worked closely with Office of Sustainability staff to plan and organize the events. They also provided the tasty refreshments! Rad Power Bikes brought a variety of bikes and helmets for riders to try and dispensed valuable information about how to use the bicycles. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition created an exciting but safe cycling course for the event as well as some safety considerations on rules of the road for e-bikes. We’re sending a huge thanks to our project partners for these great events and look forward to partnering again in the future.   

FREE Rides for Seniors with the Chula Vista Community Shuttle

Are you 55 or older in northwest Chula Vista? Catch a free ride with the Chula Vista Community Shuttle. The service currently operates Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a fleet of electric vehicle sedans and an electric ADA accessible van. The shuttle provides door-to-door transportation and has an average wait time of approximately 8 minutes. Request a ride today via the Ride Circuit app or by calling (646) 504-3733.

For information about the program, please visit: www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/clean/residents/communityshuttle

Discover Energy-Saving Tips for a Cooler Summer

As the sun’s rays intensify, so does our reliance on air conditioning Let’s explore ways to keep your home cool while trimming energy bills, plus other energy-saving tips.

1. Save with Golden State rebates: Receive rebates toward the purchase of energy-efficient products like smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters and room air conditioners. Get details at sdge.com/rebates and for the product list, visit www.GoldenStateRebates.com.

2. Cool down with a fan. Use ceiling and tabletop fans to cool off and leave the thermostat at a higher temperature. Turn fans off when you leave a room as fans cool people, not rooms.

3. Fire up the grill. Take the heat out of your kitchen by cooking outside. It’s also a good excuse to get your family outside and away from electronics.

4. Delay chores. Shift some chores like laundry and running the dishwasher outside of the on peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Save even more if you do laundry on the weekends before 2 p.m.

5. Give your dryer time off. Consider outdoor line-drying on sunny, breezy days to save on natural gas costs.

6. Use less hot water. Water heating accounts for 30% of your home’s total energy use. The longer you run hot water, the higher your energy use and bills. To save, reduce how much hot water you use and turn the temperature on your water heater down a little.

7. Block the sun. During the heat of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. If you can, open windows at night and in the early morning to let in cool air.

8. Charge while you sleep. Before going to bed, plug your devices in so they can recharge during super off-peak hours which are less expensive.

9. Pre-cool your home before 4 p.m. Take advantage of lower-priced energy by setting your A/C between 68⁰ and 74⁰ F before 4 p.m. During on-peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., adjust your thermostat to 78⁰, health permitting.

For more ideas on how to save energy, visit sdge.com/MyEnergy.