EL CAJON, Calif. — The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon is celebrating 25 years of sustainability and community this month. To celebrate, they’ll be opening their doors to the public for a free event featuring live music, plant sales, animal encounters, special guests and more.
“You know, the planning started a little bit earlier this year because we really wanted to do something great for the community and we wanted to have everyone come and celebrate,” Garden Director Lauren Magnuson told CBS 8. “This is like a big birthday bash and so it kind of started small where we were just gonna have a Free Saturday instead of our traditional Free Friday… Now it’s really transformed into this Free Saturday for the entire community of San Diego County and it’s from 9 to 3 and there’s going to be so much that we’re doing.”
Food vendors, live music, educational activities, and so much more will be on hand for the family-friendly party on Saturday, Nov 9.
“25 years. It means community, it means conservation, it means sustainability,” Magnuson added. “This garden has been a part of not just East County San Diego but it’s been a part of the community of San Diego County for so long and we have taught so many people how to redesign their landscape, how to pick these low water plants, to talk about irrigation, to talk about native plants pollinator plants. We know that we’re doing a really good job because San Diego is like the best in the state when it comes to water sustainability and so we’re very proud of that and it shows with our water district sponsors that are the ones that hold the key to the beautiful garden and the ones that support it.”
A few of those sponsors include Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Helix Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, The City of San Diego, Otay Water District, and Sweetwater Authority. The Garden also has dozens of volunteers keeping the beauty alive across those nearly six acres.
“It’s just wonderful to be out in the fresh air,” said Sonya Heiserman, a volunteer since 2014. “I’ve made so many friends here and it’s such a beautiful garden. It’s getting prettier and prettier.”
Year round, the water conservation garden can be a resource to design your own sustainable backyard, or just a quiet space to relax and clear your head.
