Featured Events in El Cajon in May 2025 (July Updated)

Cuyamaca College Nursery, a student-operated nursery, has proudly hosted the Spring Garden Festival for over 30 years. Student interns take the lead in planting and managing a diverse selection of plants, which are sold to the public at budget-friendly prices. The nursery remains a cherished community resource for plant lovers and gardening enthusiasts alike. The Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival is BACK — and better than ever! Enjoy FREE admission to a day filled with specialty vendors, food trucks, plant sales, live music, and fun, family-friendly activities throughout the campus. We’ll be buzzing with excitement all day long, ready to celebrate spring with you and your loved ones! A special feature of the festival is the Butterfly Release Program ! You can purchase a butterfly to release at one of our designated stations. Please note, butterfly releases are non-refundable, as each butterfly is carefully raised for this event. You can purchase a butterfly release ticket via Eventbrite, and there will be specific times and locations for the release. Your purchase helps support the Dorcus Utter Butterfly Pavilion and its conservation efforts. Information Source: The Water Conservation Garden | eventbrite

Portrait Swap at Gud Times Studio! Come join us for a fun and creative event where you can swap portraits with other artists at Gud Times Studio ! It's a great opportunity to meet fellow photographers and exchange some headshots. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, everyone is welcome to participate. The rules are simple. Bring your own camera and be willing to let other photographers use it so you can edit your own potraits later! We will have Happy Gal coffee there serving up some delicious morning beverages as well as some snacks to graze on. See you there! Information Source: eventbrite

This three part workshop will take place over the course of three weekends in May, beginning on the last day of International Compost Awareness Week. Please attend all three weekends if possible. Otherwise, you may choose to only attend one or two days. Space is limited to 30 attendees. This is an in-depth background on the SB 1383 mandate, definitions and applications of organic waste recycling, landfill and methane implications, recovered organic waste products, composting, compost use and application, soil carbon, soil ecosystem and climate change dynamics. Instructors will be provided relevant curriculum to integrate this knowledge and project-based climate action learning into their classrooms. There will be expert guest speakers and indoor and outdoor learning forums - utilizing the garden, compost, and soil demonstration sites at the Water Conservation Garden (El Cajon, CA). Suggested donation: $20-50. Donations can be made here: *Free Registration for Teachers and Instructor. If you are not able to attend all three workshops, you are still encouraged to attend! Timeframe : Consecutive Saturdays during International Compost Awareness Month - 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 11am-1pm 5/10 11am-1pm WEEK 1: Organic Waste Recycling SB 1383: California state law that requires all residents, organizations and schools to recycle organic waste (food scraps, food soiled paper, and yard trimmings). What is organic material? What is organic waste? Introduction to organic material soil implications and climate change factors. Green bin overview. What happens to our waste once it's put in your green bin and/or green dumpster? Landfill background and implications - methane emissions Overview: organic waste recycling and climate change Participation at your school. 5/17 11am-1pm WEEK 2: Soil Dynamics and Climate Change What is soil? What is soil composed of? What is soil organic matter? What are the environmental benefits of using compost? What is soil microbiology and compost microbiology? What can be done with organic waste aside from composting (organic waste recycling triangle, animal feed, anaerobic digestion etc.)? Compost: ecosystem restoration, water conservation, climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. What is compost processing? What are the benefits of compost processing? 5/24 11am-1pm WEEK 3: Integrating Curriculum Review: a take home background/guide on course topics. Discuss our roles - how to facilitate organic waste recycling (food scraps, food soiled paper, and landscape materials), decrease contamination, and increase compost use at our schools and in our communities. How students can be change agents in their communities. Local compost sources/how to start using compost at school facilities. Integrate project-based climate change action NGSS and STEM lessons into classrooms (a comprehensive tool kit will be provided to all instructors). Information Source: Association of Compost Producers | eventbrite

2025 TedXKids @ El Cajon Welcome to the 2025 TEDxKidsElCajon event happening at Greenfield Middle School ! Get ready for a day filled with inspiring talks, innovative ideas, and fun activities. Join us for a day of learning, creativity, and making new friends. This in-person event is perfect for young minds eager to explore new ideas and be inspired. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a part of something special. See you there! Information Source: TEDxKidsElCajon | eventbrite

This three part workshop will take place over the course of three weekends in May, beginning on the last day of International Compost Awareness Week. Please attend all three weekends if possible. Otherwise, you may choose to only attend one or two days. Space is limited to 30 attendees. This is an in-depth background on the SB 1383 mandate, definitions and applications of organic waste recycling, landfill and methane implications, recovered organic waste products, composting, compost use and application, soil carbon, soil ecosystem and climate change dynamics. Instructors will be provided relevant curriculum to integrate this knowledge and project-based climate action learning into their classrooms. There will be expert guest speakers and indoor and outdoor learning forums - utilizing the garden, compost, and soil demonstration sites at the Water Conservation Garden (El Cajon, CA). Suggested donation: $20-50. Donations can be made here: *Free Registration for Teachers and Instructor. If you are not able to attend all three workshops, you are still encouraged to attend! Timeframe : Consecutive Saturdays during International Compost Awareness Month - 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 11am-1pm 5/10 11am-1pm WEEK 1: Organic Waste Recycling SB 1383: California state law that requires all residents, organizations and schools to recycle organic waste (food scraps, food soiled paper, and yard trimmings). What is organic material? What is organic waste? Introduction to organic material soil implications and climate change factors. Green bin overview. What happens to our waste once it's put in your green bin and/or green dumpster? Landfill background and implications - methane emissions Overview: organic waste recycling and climate change Participation at your school. 5/17 11am-1pm WEEK 2: Soil Dynamics and Climate Change What is soil? What is soil composed of? What is soil organic matter? What are the environmental benefits of using compost? What is soil microbiology and compost microbiology? What can be done with organic waste aside from composting (organic waste recycling triangle, animal feed, anaerobic digestion etc.)? Compost: ecosystem restoration, water conservation, climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. What is compost processing? What are the benefits of compost processing? 5/24 11am-1pm WEEK 3: Integrating Curriculum Review: a take home background/guide on course topics. Discuss our roles - how to facilitate organic waste recycling (food scraps, food soiled paper, and landscape materials), decrease contamination, and increase compost use at our schools and in our communities. How students can be change agents in their communities. Local compost sources/how to start using compost at school facilities. Integrate project-based climate change action NGSS and STEM lessons into classrooms (a comprehensive tool kit will be provided to all instructors). Information Source: Association of Compost Producers | eventbrite