Emerald Keepers of the Month: Blue Wave Coronado, The Seaside Ryde Coronado Surf Lessons, and Visitor Coffee Roasters

Blue Wave Coronado, The Seaside Ryde Coronado Surf Lessons, and Visitor Coffee Roasters hosted a community cleanup on Saturday, October 21.

Blue Wave Coronado owner, Jan Baker Searfus, moved along the top of the rocks with her young boys and their friends pulling out trash people had intentionally stuffed in the rocks rather than using the trash and recycle bins along Ocean Blvd. “Join us for some coffee,” she said with an easy smile pointing to a tent on the beach behind the lifeguard tower.  She wouldn’t be finished collecting trash for another 30 minutes.

Ryan Wamhoff, owner of The Seaside Ryde Coronado Surf Lessons explained, “Jan and myself are big advocates for the ocean. Coronado has had a rough run this past year and we wanted to get a little community involvement and some camaraderie going.”

The vibe among those cleaning the beach was happy, and the full buckets and bags of trash provided a sense of accomplishment.

As people finished cleaning the beach, they made their way to the tent for muffins and fruit. They were treated to coffee provided by Visitor Coffee Roasters in mugs from all three businesses. The gathering was reminiscent of a laidback surf competition and its contingent of people who love the ocean and care for it.

Visitor Coffee Roasters owner, Will Holder, said his coffee is sustainably sourced and sold in biodegradable, compostable bags. After only a few minutes of chatting, it was obvious that sustainability was important to him and fully incorporated into his product line. 

The gathering helped raise awareness about trash and plastic on our beaches and provided a sense of community working together to protect the health of our ocean. Their banner said it all, “Save our ocean.”

In organizing the event — as well dedicating time, resources, and labor to clean Coronado beach — Blue Wave Coronado, The Seaside Ryde Coronado Surf Lessons, and Visitor Coffee Roasters went above and beyond and are recognized as Emerald Keepers of the Month. Thank you, Jan Baker Searfus, Ryan Wamhoff, and Will Holder. 

September Emerald Keepers of the Month: Larry Cox and Dan’l Steward

When Coronado Teen and Environmental Librarian, Tara Davies, said she wanted to start an Emerald Keepers Club at Coronado Middle School, her fellow board members were ecstatic. The once beautiful garden, an Eagle Scout project by Cole Mullins, had fallen into disrepair during the pandemic. Revitalizing the garden began with weeding, weeding, and more weeding. The walkways are still overgrown with weeds after 30 volunteers worked hours to remove weeds from the four planter beds before school began. Most notably the old plastic tool shed and table were falling apart (the shed had aged and fell repeatedly during storms or strong wind gusts).

“It was a hazard,” said Davies who worried it might fall on a student.

That is when Larry Cox and Dan’l Steward, spouses of Emerald Keepers, stepped in. The two evaluated the shed and table. Emerald Keepers purchased supplies and Larry and Dan’l went to work. Dan’l took the lead on the new tabletop. He broke out his table-saw and created new planks carefully notched to fit the table. He then drilled and screwed each piece into place. He stained the entire table and put up a new sunshade reinforced with a strip of stained wood drilled into the frame top. Then flower and succulent baskets were hung.

Meanwhile, Larry singlehandedly assembled and sealed the shed at his home. He ordered uprights and cement to brace the shed so it would remain upright during storms. Each piece was fashioned to perfection. Dan’l dug post holes, and together they poured the concrete, placed the uprights making sure everything was level. Minor adjustments followed to ensure the shed was ready for student use.

CMS student and Emerald Keeper Club member Azalea Bowen was asked what she thought of the newly renovated garden workspace. She enthusiastically replied, “The garden looks amazing! The new shed looks so much better than the one we started with at first, and the worktable is wonderful!”

Larry and Dan’l together put in over 20 hours over several weekends and weekdays… a true labor of love going above and beyond to do the job right. Spouses of Ginger Cox and Amy Steward--both Emerald Keepers Board members-- the two selflessly support their families and their activities. Their volunteerism to help Emerald Keepers create a beautiful, safe, organized space for students is why they are Emerald Keepers of the Month for September.

Congratulations, Larry Cox and Dan’l Steward, for giving of your time and talent. CMS Emerald Keepers Club, Coronado Middle School, and Emerald Keepers thank you!

The CMS Emerald Keepers garden will foster community among students and provide food for the Imperial Beach Food Pantry – the latter a collaborative effort with the Rotary Club of Coronado that delivers delicious vegetables.

Community Volunteers – August Emerald Keepers of the Month - Prepping for Back to School

It was a banner weekend for Emerald Keepers! Forty volunteers overhauled the Emerald Keepers’ student gardens and cleaned the beach at the Ferry Landing before hurricane Hilary hit Coronado and students returned back to school.

At Coronado High School’s Emerald Keepers Club garden and compost, students and community volunteers painted 13 large and extra-large planter boxes with care. Students chatted about the upcoming school year and took pride in their handiwork. In addition to staining the boxes, students cleaned and organized storage sheds, planted melons and potatoes, and turned compost. Adults helped cleanup in and outside the garden, hauled debris, painted boxes, and pulled weeds.

“The gardens – a collaboration between Emerald Keepers and Public Library- are important as we want the gardens and compost to be an inviting place for students to relax and work together,” said Amy Steward, president of Emerald Keepers.

In addition to painting the boxes the roughly 35 volunteers weeded for four hours.

“The tenacious weeds were knee-high and above,” said volunteer Dan’l Steward. “We filled ten 65 gallon trash cans.”

Music resounded as the skies grew gray, but impending weather did nothing to dampen the volunteers’ spirits.

CHS senior Troy Martin said, “This is my first time coming out to Emerald Keepers. I came out because it sounded like a fun thing to do and help get the garden ready for the school year.”

Emerald Keeper Intern and Cathedral Catholic Junior Liza Delach commented, “It is important to renew the compost and garden and get the gardens ready for the school year.”

Accompanied by his family, incoming Emerald Keepers Club member Colin Thoms explained, “I came out to prepare the planter boxes at the high school before the rain and hurricane and help renew the middle school garden.”

Rotarian and Emerald Keepers Board Member Ginger Cox volunteers with students at the Coronado Middle School garden. She explained, “The produce the students harvest from the organic gardens at the middle school and high school is taken to the IB Neighborhood Center Food Pantry, and it gets distributed there. The Rotary Club helps provide food at the center.”

Students harvested and donated potatoes, kale, and two boxes of tomatoes to the Food Pantry this weekend thanks to Ginger Cox who delivered the produce.

Environmental and Teen Librarian and Emerald Keepers’ garden leader Tara Davies said, “Hopefully we will have lots of new recruits to work in the gardens this year. I am really proud of all the high school students who also worked in the CMS garden.”  

Concurrently with the garden effort, Emerald Keepers team leader Stef Angel held a beach cleanup at the Ferry Landing. She was pleased that young Emerald Keepers brought their parents to help clean the beach.

Special thanks to the Cox, Berk, Thoms, Hejl, and Steward families. This month we celebrate all our incredible volunteers who work together to build community while helping the environment. Congratulations to each and everyone, the August Emerald Keepers of the month!

Alister & Jasper Hardt - Emerald Keepers of the Month

Alister and Jasper Hardt are rising fourth graders at Village Elementary. On Juneteenth, the boys hosted a lemonade stand to benefit Emerald Keepers -- an event they planned themselves.

“The boys mapped out what they needed, went shopping, and did a budget. They managed all their finances and money. They went and got change from the bank, tallied up their profits, and in two hours they made $119 dollars for Emerald Keepers,” explained their mother, Jacqueline Hardt.

According to Jacquelin, the classroom visit from Emerald Keepers’ high school Interns toward the end of the school year made a big impression on Alister and Jasper. They loved the environmental trading cards and meeting the high school students. Last year they participated in Emerald Keepers’ Earth Day Golden Ticket Cleanup where Jasper found one of the Golden Tickets. He exchanged his ticket at the Coronado Public Library for Coronado Currency accepted at most stores and restaurants in Coronado.

“It really inspired them,” explained Jacqueline. “They also visited Emerald Keepers at the Flower Show and planted native plants. They took one of the milkweed plants for monarch butterflies and it has been steadily growing.”

When the boys woke up at 8:07am on Saturday, they were worried they had missed Emerald Keepers’ Cleanup Series at the Ferry Landing. According to their mom, “The boys got ready in about thirty seconds and begged me to take them, so here we are!”

Sadly, was plenty of trash for the boys to pick up. Their enthusiasm was infectious for the dozen volunteers who showed up to help clean the beach and park areas. 

When asked why he wanted to host a lemonade stand to support Emerald Keepers, Jasper said, “I found one of the Golden Tickets last year and wanted to help Emerald Keepers.”

“I wanted to donate the profits from our lemonade stand because Emerald Keepers cares about the environment,” explained Alister. “The environment is important because we want to preserve it as much as we can.”

The boys understand the importance of preserving open space having visited 38 national parks and monuments and are proud to be part of Emerald Keepers.

Congratulations Alister and Jasper Hardt for being our July Emerald Keepers of the Month. For more information about Emerald Keepers or to sign up for the monthly newsletter, please visit emeraldkeepers.org.

Coronado Vons — Emerald Keeper of the Month

Emerald Keepers is pleased to recognize Coronado Vons as the June Emerald Keepers of the Month.  Our local supermarket is promoting efforts in sustainability that gives priority to our community’s uniqueness along with utilizing the environmental goals of its large corporation. The parent company of Coronado Vons is Albertsons Companies.

SoCal Vons Communications Director Courtney Carranza said, “At Albertsons Companies, we are proud of our Recipe for Change initiative, which comes to life at our Coronado Vons through our new recycling bins for customers, our new electric car charging stations, our composting program, and our commitment to reducing hunger in our community.   Each month, our Coronado store donates fresh food to our food pantry partners to help alleviate food insecurity in the local community.”

A recent visit with Store Manager Scott Thompson and Carranza, highlighted some of the ways the store has expanded its eco-friendly options for customers.

Outside of the store, large well-marked bins serve as a visual reminder of the importance of sorting trash and recycling. With the convenience of drive-by drop-offs and placement near the back entrance of Vons, the bins are being filled by local residents and customers. Thompson said the bins are being emptied daily.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations have been installed in the parking lot and will be ready for use in July.

Other examples of eco-friendly choices include: 

• Expanding the organic vegetable and fruit section. Signage reflects earth-friendly and sustainable farming practices. 

• Reducing single-use plastic and packaging, including the amount of plastic used to make some of their own brand milk jugs and water bottles.

• Offering reusable bags, eliminating double-bagging and minimizing the use of bags.

• Committing to reducing food waste, Vons donates to the San Diego Food Bank. In additional support of our community, Coronado Vons made a monetary donation to The Wampler Foundation.

• Developing corporation strategies that include rethinking and reusing items, such as plastic crates emptied at the store and sent to be recycled into plastic pellets. The pellets are then used to manufacture new crates. 

• Buying local, and partnering with suppliers and local farms. 

• Limiting fossil fuels, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

“I am proud to be at Coronado Vons,” said Thompson. He strongly believes that the recent remodel of today’s Vons is giving customers the convenience of more options, along with assistance from friendly staff, and resulting in a pleasant shopping experience.   

Focusing on better environmental choices, and continuously looking for ways to better serve residents and visitors, are key practices for our local supermarket. Congratulations to the Coronado Vons, Emerald Keepers of the Month.

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.