Emerald Keepers Trading Card Program Huge Success

Smiles lit up classrooms as Emerald Keepers’ interns visited Village Elementary students to share their new environmental trading cards.

“We have tons of good news for you!” announced Emily Kuite to a classroom of students. “We have 17 trading cards for you to collect. We’re going to start you off with four or five cards each today. You can trade with your friends.

“If you have a Jack card, you don’t need any of the others. Mine is the best,” said Jack Francis as he passed out his trading cards to a group of young students excitedly gathering around him.

The Trading Card Program is intended to excite students about local environmental action. Each card has a photo and the name of an intern, his or her (grade) level, favorite element (Earth, Wind, Fire, or Water), environmental focus, strengths, weaknesses and why he or she is an Emerald Keeper. All seventeen cards were featured in last week’s Eagle & Journal and can be found on the Emerald Keepers website.

“We had so much fun,” said Intern Abi Brownlee. “The kids loved the cards.”

This week, interns will be delivering cards to Strand Elementary.

The program is expected to grow with a new group of interns and more trading cards this coming fall. Applications for 2023-2024 Emerald Keepers High School Internships will be on the website emeraldkeepers.org the first week of August.

Jesse Hill Emerald Keeper of the Month

It is unusual for a freshman to start new club on campus, but in 2019, this is exactly what Jesse Hill did. She completed the paperwork to establish an Emerald Keepers Club on campus and recruited members. When the pandemic hit, she worked with Emerald Keepers’ board and school district administrators to find a plot of land where the club could compost and grow vegetables for food insecure families during the pandemic with co-president senior, Marla Steel. Soon a complete garden complex was up and running -- raised beds, fruit trees, a tool shed, and compost bins. Best of all were the students she organized who came together once a week to tend the plot by composting over 4000 pounds of organic waste, producing vegetables beyond their wildest expectations, and providing a safe space for students to learn and blossom. Last year, the club won the prestigious Superintendent’s Award as the best club at the high school.

Jesse’s devotion, energy, and leadership were almost single-handedly responsible for the club’s success over the past four years. If you visit the garden on Saturday morning, you will hear music playing; the voices of happy, hard-working, dedicated, collaborative club members; and a vibe both unique and beautiful to behold – full of positive energy and life.

Last year, there was an opportunity for nonprofits to take part in a school internship program where students could earn high school credit. Jesse, along with 12 members of her club applied to be interns with Emerald Keepers in addition to their club responsibilities. The interns worked our educational booths --talking with thousands of people at various events—and introduced speakers and greeted people at Emerald Keeper events.  This year the program expanded to 17 interns and Jesse created an Earth Month Camp for elementary students to learn how to compost, garden, and develop sustainable habits. She also worked with a team to establish Emerald Green, Ocean Blue Sustainable Classrooms at the elementary schools.

Emerald Keepers is just one of Jesse’s initiatives. She has served as Class President – both her junior and senior year and was secretary of her sophomore class. Through student government Jesse organized dozens of events, managed social media, and promoted all manner of activities. She personifies school spirit.

Jesse’s work-life balance is impressive. Currently Vice President of the Best Buddies Club, she shares her lunch period with students encumbered with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helps fundraise for accessible classroom equipment for her special friends. She participates in Mi Mitad, a monthly cultural exchange with students in Spain via zoom to share holidays and traditions and improve her language skills. A student athlete, Jesse was Team Captain of the varsity golf team her junior year, and a four-year surfer with her high school team. Jesse is a role model for aspiring young surfers. It is no wonder she was elected to the homecoming court this past fall. Jesse is not only a role model for peers and youth, but an inspiration to adults.  Jesse will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall.

Congratulations to Emerald Keeper of the Month, Jesse Hill, for her four years of dedication to the CHS Emerald Keepers Club! 

Motor Cars on Main Street -- EV Section

The 10,000-plus crowd attending MotorCars on MainStreet enjoyed visiting the new Emerald Keepers’ exhibit of electric cars. The variety of EV makes and models included compacts, sedans, trucks, SUVs, and a minibus. Luxury EV manufacturer Lucid encourage people to sit inside their EV sedans and explore their many features. Local bicycle shop, Hollands, brought electric bicycles that highlighted the range of electric transportation options. One of the crowd pleasers, was a classic VW van converted to an EV by Zlectric.

Circuit, which runs FRED in downtown San Diego, showed an electric mini shuttle similar to Emerald Keepers’ proposed OZ. In addition, the Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego brought several vehicles along with volunteers who answered general questions about EVs.

Interns Host Earth Month Kids' Camp

The past three Saturdays, Emerald Keepers interns hosted an Earth Month Kids’ Camp at the CHS Emerald Keepers Garden. Elementary students made crafts, played games and learned to compost and the fundamentals of organic gardening. Plus, they enjoyed fresh vegetables from the garden!

Earth Day Chalk Walk & Poster Winners

In partnership with the Coronado Public Library, Emerald Keepers wishes to thank everyone who came out to see the beautiful chalk art created by the Coronado High School artists at the Earth Day Keep Our Sea Plastic Free Chalk Walk. Emerald Keepers is grateful to its partner, Coronado Public Library, for their support and use of their grounds. Thank you to the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission for supporting the event; their tent raised awareness about plastic on our beaches with a fun string-plastics-from-Coronado-beaches craft station. Thank you to organizations who provided event tables, educational activities, and handouts: Oceania, Coronado Cultural Arts Association, City of Coronado, Coronado Public Library, and Emerald Keepers. Raising awareness of the negative impacts of single-use plastics is important to the health of our ocean and us all.

Thank you to the many volunteers and Emerald Keepers Board Members and interns who gave of their time to assist throughout the day, bake breakfast treats, and provide lunch and snacks for all the artists and volunteers. Special thanks to Ms. Laura Hill and Ms. Karrie Jackson for preparing their students to create such beautiful and creative sidewalk art. Their collective artistry and dedication to teaching are inspiring.

We especially appreciate the teachers who brought their classes to see the Earth Day Chalk Walk and watch the short film, The Story of Plastics, in the Winn Room.

Following the Earth Day Chalk Walk and assisted by Council Members John Duncan and Casey Tanaka, Emerald Keepers hosted an awards ceremony for the Earth Day Poster Competition.  Thank you to all the contributing artists and congratulations to poster winners! Winning posters may be viewed in the Teen Library Section of the Coronado Public Library.

This Earth Day celebration and chalk walk brought together students of all ages to create and share beautiful art; celebrate Mother Earth; and learn how better to protect our planet, its oceans, and the environment.

Happy Plastic-Free Earth Month, Coronado!

Girl Scout Troop 6530 - Emerald Keepers of the Month

Girl Scout Troop 6530 is making the environment a priority. Emerald Keepers met them at the Coronado Flower Show where they were handing out California wildflower seeds to visitors to their booth and educating them about hummingbirds for their Bronze Award. They helped visitors “make & take” hummingbird perches. Their adorable little booklet about these tiny, feathered wonders was filled with interesting facts and information:

·      Thousands of native plants rely on hummingbirds for pollination.

·      Hummingbirds are called nectivores because 90% of their diet is the nectar from flowers.

·      Hummingbirds can fly in all directions – even backwards.

·      Hummingbirds are drawn to the color red because it is easy for them to see.

·      When hummingbirds eat, pollen sticks to them. When they visit another flower, it falls off them and pollinates the plant.

·      If you are going to use a hummingbird feeder, use a glass one and change the sugar-water every other day (3 parts water, 1 part sugar).

·      Native plants are important to hummingbird diets.

·      Plant tall shrubs and vines on which for hummingbirds to perch. Small trees make great nesting sites for them.

These Scouts encourage you to make Coronado hummingbird friendly and enjoy the three different species found in Coronado backyards.

Congratulations, Troop 6530, on being our Emerald Keepers of the Month!

Emerald Keepers at the Flower Show

Earth Friendly Home Fronts - 2023

 Emerald Keepers was proud to partner with the Coronado Floral Association for Home Front judging. Emerald Keepers awarded 255 home fronts with Earth Friendly Green Ribbons. Congratulations to all Earth Friendly Home Front winners. The top three were:

BEST EARTH FRIENDLY HOME FRONT 801 Country Club Lane

FIRST RUNNER-UP 711 Country Club Lane

SECOND RUNNER-UP 307 First Street

Emerald Keepers Receives Impact in Community Service and Volunteerism Award

Emerald Keepers received the Impact in Community Service and Volunteerism Award from Assemeblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath in a ceremony this past Saturday. Accepting the award on behalf of Emerald Keepers was president and founder, Amy Steward. The award reads: 

"On the occasion of this annual awards celebration, I want to congratulate you and recognize your inspired commitment to serif the City of Coronado. Your continued dedication to investing your time in our community leads a lasting, positive impact. On behalf of th e California State Assembly; Thank you for your service!” - Tasha Boerner Horvath, Assemblymember, District 77, California State Legislature

Emerald Keepers of the Month: Rotary Club of Coronado

Rotarians bring their own cups and glasses to all Rotary events and meetings.

The Rotary Club of Coronado is the March Emerald Keepers of month for its emphasis on environmentally-sustainable practices and projects over the years. When Rotary International announced two years ago that “Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment,” Coronado Rotarians were listening. What began as a singular club cleanup activity each month on Center Beach almost 30 years ago, is now a multi-focal environmental platform due to sustainable habits formed by its members.

How do you create a habit? To focus on the environment, President LuAnn Miller created a habit among members designed to eliminate plastic cups by encouraging them to bring logo-inspired coffee cups and glasses to all Rotary special events and meetings. It has become so automatic that the hosts of monthly socials, as well as restaurants where Rotary has meetings, no longer use plastic cups. Everyone brings their own.

Beach cleanup has evolved from a monthly Saturday morning habit to one that has Rotanians collecting trash several days a week on the beach and dunes, Bay, Silver Strand bike path, and Coronado streets.

These habits have resulted in an awareness of the need to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics. Leading into Plastic-Free Earth Month, Emerald Keepers is proud to recognize the Rotary Club of Coronado as Emerald Keepers of the Month to "Keep our Sea Plastic-Free” — this year’s theme for Earth Month. 

Ribbon Cutting for Two Marine Skimmers at CCYC

The day broke sunny and cool… a fine Coronado winter morning… as a small crowd began to gather at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club (CCYC). It was a day of celebration — two marine skimmers donated to CCYC were being dedicated. As the crowd grew so did conversation about how effective the skimmers had proven to be since their installation less than a month earlier.

Right on schedule at 4 Bells [10:00 am] Commodore Dave Murree welcomed the now 50 strong throng of sailors, Coronado citizens, Emerald Keepers, KECO installers, and City and Port of San Diego dignitaries. Commodore Murree captured both the excitement and the import of the installation before turning the podium over to the two individuals responsible for conceiving, planning, preparation, and installation of the skimmers — Van Peterson and Amy Steward.

Speaking first, Van — CCYC Port Captain and Dockmaster for the previous 4 ½ years — described how the joint CCYC – Emerald Keepers undertaking realized a dream he had had for several years. Known throughout CCYC as “can do,” “hands on,” and indefatigable, Van spoke with pride about how the skimmers were already having a positive effect in the marina, contributing to depollution of San Diego Bay, and reinforcing the “green boating” spirit of CCYC. He then introduced Amy Steward, founder and President of Emerald Keepers, crediting her with the vision, drive, and collaborative passion to bring skimmers to both Coronado yacht clubs.

Stepping to the podium, Amy thanked Emerald Keepers Board members and all in attendance for their support, CCYC’s foresight, and the collaboration that brought installation of two skimmers named Tiger and Pink Floyd to fruition. Briefly describing Emerald Keepers as “the only non-profit in Coronado solely focused on environmental sustainability and stewardship  with the intent of making Coronado a model city of sustainability,” Steward went on to highlight the impressive capabilities and value of the skimmers:

-       Continuous operation — 24/7/365 — each pumping 450 gallons a minute (the equivalent of each pump filling a swimming pool every 40 minutes) removing floating debris and surface pollutants.

-       Minimal maintenance.

-       Operating cost per skimmer: approximately 5 cents a day.

-       All skimmers materials completely recyclable.

Steward described how funding for Tiger and Pink Floyd was made possible through a generous grant from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to Emerald Keepers and donations by CCYC’s own Seagulls Club, the Whitacre family (Tiger’s parents), Emerald Keepers, and other donors. The unique naming protocols, Steward added, were best explained by reading the educational signs accompanying each skimmer.

A representative from Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s office brought certificates of recognition from Lawson-Remer to congratulate Emerald Keepers and Coronado Cays Yacht Club on their environmental work.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting over one of the skimmers as all in attendance enjoyed the flow of pristine bay water below. 

Emerald Keeper of the Month: Dean Eckenroth, Jr.

After years of generous contribution to the work of Emerald Keepers, we are pleased to announce Dean Eckenroth as “Emerald Keeper of the Month.” Dean’s commitment to offering a venue for education and dialogue in the public square of news media has provided Emerald Keepers with an invaluable pathway for communication, especially during our darkest days of the COVID-19 lockdown, when Emerald Keepers was just launching as a new local environmental non-profit.

Providing a vital forum for Coronado conversations since 1990 through his dedicated labor and toil at The Eagle & Journal, Dean has demonstrated a passion for life on the island like few others. A champion of local business and a civil society devotee, he has played a major part in the annual Holiday Parade, “Celebrate Coronado” community awards, and the annual “Salute to the Military Ball,” to name just a few of his contributions. In short, much like Emerald Keepers, Dean is always striving to make Coronado a better place, and we are so grateful to have him as a trusted partner in our aim for sustainable community development.

As a result of his support, Emerald Keepers has been able to publish 85 pages of environmental awareness materials, educating our community on issues such as water and air quality, biodiversity loss, energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping, the impacts of climate change and numerous other topics. Dean has also facilitated our public celebration of environmental actions in Coronado, featuring our Emerald Keeper of the Month column, covering of many of our events in the paper, and showcasing our students’ Earth Day Poster Competition artwork. What young person doesn’t love to be acknowledged publicly in the paper?

If you are tempted to think this contribution “small potatoes,” think again! Dean Eckenroth’s in-kind donations total over $35,000 in 2022 alone, and the ripple effect of this generosity cannot be underestimated. Surely this publicity has played a major role in the exponential growth enjoyed by Emerald Keepers, a now widely recognized local organization. More importantly, concern for our environment has become a familiar topic for Coronadans, translating into action at the household level, at our schools, within our churches, and in our local government. Thank you, Dean Eckenroth, our Emerald Keeper Valentine!

January Emerald Keepers of the Month: CUSD’s Charity Campbell and Amanda Tarantino

Coronado Emerald Keepers of the Month, Charity Campbell and Amanda Tarantino have made huge strides toward reducing waste in the Coronado Schools. They are brimming with ideas to create, as well as to improve, sustainable programs. Campbell, Coronado Unified’s Director of Child Nutrition Services, and Tarantino, Child Nutrition Supervisor, have written grants to facilitate their plans for food waste reduction and the elimination of plastic waste. They are also involving students in the process of growing their own food. They do this all while making it fun for the kids and incorporating learning standards. Intern Jacklyn Neves collects data for them to track the benefits of their initiatives. These women know the power of collaboration as a force multiplier—they are working with Emerald Keepers, I Love a Clean San Diego, the City of Coronado and EDCO to make these initiatives happen. 

Reducing 50 percent of the waste in Coronado schools by the end of the school year is one of their goals—and they are well on their way! They have implemented “share tables” to reduce food waste. This food waste, which goes to the landfills, is what produces harmful levels of methane, a greenhouse gas. Federal guidelines mandate that servers provide the students with all of the ingredients to prepare their lunches. Whole fruits, unopened milk containers, and food packages can be sanitized and put on the share tables for others to enjoy. “The kids really enjoy it,” says Campbell. The custodians are also showing appreciation for the simplification of their jobs. 

Disposable water bottles are part of Campbell’s and Tarantino’s waste-reduction target. Working with the CUSD Wellness Committee and Emerald Keepers, they have been instrumental in eliminating single-use water bottles on all school campuses. A recent article published in The Hill, states that 71 percent of single-use plastic bottles end up in waterways or landfills rather than being recycled. Now that all CUSD buildings (and many other locations around Coronado) have state-of-the art cooled and filtered water refill stations, students and staff are asked to use their refillable water bottles. As of November 2022, Neves’ data shows that at least 33,400 water bottles have been saved by using the refill stations! 

Congratulations Charity Campbell and Amanda Tarantino, Emerald Keepers of the Month. Emerald Keepers is looking forward to more great Earth-saving work from this dynamic duo. 

70+ Volunteers Help with Emergency Beach Clean-Up

Over 70 volunteers responded to Emerald Keepers’ call for an emergency beach clean-up of Delta Beach ahead of the King Tide on Thursday morning. Delta Beach is the stretch of beach that extends from just south of the Naval Amphibious Base to Fiddler’s Cove (the site of the Navy Yacht Club). The volunteers met in the parking lot at Fiddler’s Cove, received short briefs from Lt. Fyda, US Navy, and Emerald Keepers, and went right to work.

“It warms my heart to see so many people out here with their children and grandchildren cleaning the beach,” said Amy Steward, president of Emerald Keepers. “I am grateful to the Navy for allowing us to clean up the marine debris as it’s an environmental disaster for our wildlife – birds, turtles, dolphins, sea lions, invertebrates, and fish.”

Emerald Keepers reached out to the NASNI environmentalist last week to inquire if the Navy would unlock the gate so volunteers could clean the beach before hundreds of pounds of accumulated marine debris was swept back into the bay during King Tides on December 23 and 24. Receiving word late Tuesday afternoon from the Navy that they were “a go” for the following morning, Emerald Keepers immediately organized volunteers.

As the clean-up crew completed its 2 hour effort, Steward explained, “It’s now up to the Navy to send light trucks to pick up the piles of bags and oversize marine debris carefully piled along vehicle tracks that parallel the shoreline above the King Tide zone.”

“While we did not come close to removing all the plastic, we made a significant dent,” added Emerald Keepers board member Sarah Jones with an air satisfaction as she and her entire family packed-up.

Emerald Keepers wishes to thank everyone who came out to clean Delta Beach and lend a hand for an Emerald Green, Ocean Blue Coronado. We look forward to more opportunities in 2023!

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November Emerald Keepers of the Month

One of the sustainable practices that Emerald Keepers subscribes to is recycling items rather than discarding them. For a third year, local Girl Scout Troop 6561 has taken to heart the practice of recycling by collecting gently-used and new Halloween costumes which are then donated to the San Diego Monarch School. The Monarch School serves about 300 unhoused students in grades K-12 who live in San Diego County.  

One recent afternoon, the Girl Scouts met to begin sorting Halloween costumes they had collected in bins at the offices of five local schools - Christ Church, Village Elementary, Silver Strand Elementary, Coronado Middle School, and Coronado High School.  After last year’s recycling collection, 186 costumes and accessories were given to the Monarch School.

Katie Bell, the leader of Girl Scout Troop 6561, started with the Girl Scout organization seven years ago when she learned no one had come forward to form a much-needed new troop. The junior troop of girls meets every Thursday and consists of a small group of fifth graders. Bell keeps the troop smaller in number “so the girls can connect with each other.”  She is also assisted by two of the girls’ mothers.

Bell is well-accustomed to volunteering with young people. At present, she home-schools her daughter who is a member of the troop. However, when her daughter was a student at Village Elementary School for a number of years, Bell had been a room mother, an art volunteer with “Meet the Masters” program and a reading program volunteer with “Everyone A Reader.”  She readily admits to “always raising her hand” when an opportunity to help presents itself.

 The Girl Scouts were asked what they do to be Emerald Keepers. Their answers included picking up trash, especially all those candy wrappers after Halloween; bringing reusable bottles to their scout meetings or to school; cleaning and reusing their mess kits when they go camping with the troop; properly disposing of old American flags; and doing beach cleanups with other scouts. They discussed that using plastic is not good for the environment because it doesn’t decompose. As one scout explained, “You cannot use plastic water bottles in the ocean because it can harm animals like turtles or little fish that go inside. Big fish swallow a lot of plastic, too.”

Congratulations to Katie Bell and Girl Scout Troop 6561 for being the November Emerald Keepers of the Month.