During the River Refresh event, hosted by the San Diego River Park Foundation, over 250 enthusiastic volunteers from SDG&E and Sempra rolled up their sleeves to make a difference. They tackled habitat restoration, spruced up trails, and cleaned up the riverside at three key locations along the San Diego River. Their collective efforts brought new life to the area and showcased the power of community spirit!
Imagine waking up on a fall Saturday morning, ready to roll up your sleeves to breathe new life into one of San Diego’s most treasured natural resources. That’s exactly how 250 dedicated volunteers from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Sempra spent their morning at the inaugural San Diego River Refresh Day.
Hosted by the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) and SDG&E, volunteers spread out across three key sites—Mast Park in Santee, the River Center in Mission Valley, and the River Mouth in Ocean Beach. Volunteers enjoyed a transformative day of habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and riverside clean-ups, all aimed at improving the health of the San Diego River and its surrounding ecosystems.
“SDG&E demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our communities and bringing people together to make a difference,” said Rob Hutsel, President and CEO of SDRPF.
The partnership with SDG&E marks a significant milestone in SDRPF’s ongoing work to preserve the river. With hundreds of community volunteers already involved in various projects, the additional manpower provided by SDG&E’s workforce promises to have a big impact.
Hutsel continued, “We are so appreciative of SDG&E and its employees for partnering with SDRPF for San Diego River Refresh Day. It was amazing to see what we could accomplish in just one day, from Santee to Ocean Beach. What a day!”
Scott Crider, Vice President, External and Operations Support for SDG&E, greeted volunteers, setting the tone for the day.
“The San Diego River is a lifeline for both wildlife and the communities it flows through,” said Crider. “Our partnership with the San Diego River Park Foundation is an exciting opportunity to give back in a tangible way—protecting the river’s natural habitats and ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from this vital resource.”
At Mast Park, creativity met environmental restoration as volunteers painted a vibrant mural on a chain link fence, turning a simple barrier into a colorful expression of community spirit. Nearby, teams pulled invasive weeds, scattered wildflower seeds, and collected litter along the riverbank, improving the space into a more welcoming habitat for wildlife and a cleaner area for visitors.
Over at the River Center in Mission Valley, a sense of renewal was in the air as volunteers planted 200 native plants around the outdoor stage and butterfly garden. Others busily restocked the seed library so future generations of plants can thrive along the river’s edge.
Downstream, at the river mouth in Ocean Beach, volunteers worked amid the ocean breeze as they cleared invasive weeds along the bike path, replaced damaged sand fencing, and built habitats for mason bees.
Visit the San Diego River Park Foundation’s website to learn more about how you can support ongoing conservation efforts, and to follow along as SDG&E and other local organizations continue to make San Diego a greener, more sustainable city.