April 2026 Newsletter

Apr 28
3 min read

Cactus Conservation!

This last month, we hosted an incredible cactus planting event, led by our amazing CCAC fellow, Becca! Our volunteers, alongside a group from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, planted 200 cactus pads, expanding cactus scrub habitat at El Monte. We were also able to take a brief tour to spot the Coastal Cactus Wrens, and show how these efforts will help create suitable nesting habitat!

Special shoutout to Priscilla, one of our regular volunteers, for introducing us to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District group!

South Bay Earth Day

The weekend before Earth Day, our EDI Conservation team spent a beautiful sunny day engaging with kids and adults alike through fun pollinator quizzes, exploring the monarch butterfly life cycle, and celebrating Earth at the South Bay Earth Day festival.

We had a great time sharing knowledge, sparking curiosity, and spreading environmental education. Excited for more tabling events ahead!

Cabrillo Coastline Exploration

Earlier this month, a group of curious and enthusiastic learners visited Cabrillo National Monument for a day full of exploration and discovery! About 100 third graders from Vista Grande Elementary, along with their teachers and chaperones, dove into the history and natural beauty of Point Loma.

Students learned about how the Kumeyaay cared for the land, explored the historic lighthouse, and connected with nature through hands-on experiences. The group encountered all sorts of natural marvels, including a Red-tailed hawk, Lemonade berry goop, wild cucumbers, lizards, caterpillars, and a stunning view of the ocean!

We love creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with history, nature, and conservation in meaningful ways, and are grateful for this excited and engaged group for making the day so memorable.

EDI is thrilled to offer events like this as part of our Education Through Recreation program. This program is funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

BioBlitz Flower Frenzy

EDI was thrilled to participate in the City Nature Challenge, a statewide California event taking place April 24-27th to find, record, and share observations of the natural world. We hosted a Spring Flower BioBlitz Hike, led by our amazing CCAC Fellow Kendall, helping to contribute to San Diego's observation count.

We were delighted to be joined by guests of all ages, including a birthday celebration, at the Par 4 Trail in the San Diego Wildlife Refuge. We saw flowers of every color, including the Splendid Mariposa Lily, California Centaury, Chaparral Beardtongue, and California Buckwheat, along with plenty of fluttering Behr’s Metalmark butterflies!

Thank you to all our guests for taking the time to notice how vibrant and alive our local ecosystems are and helping us contribute to community science!

San Diego Bay Bound: Family Day Kayaking

On Saturday, we hosted an amazing Family Day kayaking event on the bay. Led by a supportive team and powered by community spirit, 51 parents and children spent the morning paddling, learning new skills, and enjoying time together in the San Diego Bay at Chula Vista Bayside Park.

From tandem rides to the six-person “Megalodon” board, families created unforgettable memories while building confidence out on the water. 🌊

A big thank you to Chula Vista Water Sports for providing lessons and gear, and special thanks to OEP for making this event possible!

Voices for Nature Speaker Series

Recently, EDI had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Heidy Kikillus as a part of our Voices for Nature speaker series. A San Diego native, Dr. Kikillus has spent nearly 20 years in New Zealand studying and working with both native and introduced wildlife.

Her engaging presentation explored New Zealand's unique ecology, Māori culture, local bird enthusiasm, the role cats play in conservation, and fun facts! Did you know the apex predator in New Zealand is cats? Heidi also discussed key similarities between conservation efforts in New Zealand and here at home.

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Kikillus for sharing her time, expertise, and passion with our community. Thank you for an inspiring, humorous, and thought-provoking talk! Keep your eye out for news on EDI’s next speaker series event in July!