The Sage Project at SDSU

11/18/2025

In this season of gratitude, we’re reminded how much stronger we are when we come together. 💚 Every partnership and community connection helps us create positive change and move toward a more sustainable future. Here’s to collaboration, community, and all the ways we lift each other up this November and beyond! 🍂



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Orange background with white text reads: "Thriving is possible only if you have nurtured strong bonds with your community." - Robin Wall Kimmerer. Leafy vine border surrounds text.

11/13/2025

to our time in Santee! Back in 2015, more than 150 SDSU students teamed up with the City of Santee through the Sage Project to take a closer look at how sustainability starts right at the community level. 🌿

From mapping every streetlight and park bench to testing water quality along the San Diego River, students helped the city better understand its infrastructure and identify ways to make public spaces cleaner, safer, and more connected.

Together, we built the groundwork for lasting change, and showed how collaboration between universities and cities can make a real difference. 💡

Here’s to learning from the past and continuing to shape sustainable futures. 💪

05/05/2025

SDSU Anthropology students are working on a project in collaboration with the City of National City- Government to learn how National City community members get around town. Participate in one of their focus groups on May 8th or May 12th for a chance to win $100! Scan the QR code for follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/ANTH531SDSU.

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Paradise Creek Educational Park Inc. (PCEPI) Mundo Gardens Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center SDSU Brownfields Project Environmental Health Coalition

10/03/2024

09/17/2024

SDSU’s BrightSide Produce (BrightSide Produce San Diego) program is revolutionizing how underserved communities in National City can access healthy produce. A recent study published in the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing highlights the effectiveness of SDSU’s student-led BrightSide Produce program in addressing food deserts in National City. Conducted by researchers from SDSU, including our very own Dr. Swayne, and the University of Oklahoma, the study examined the program’s impact over five years, finding that it more than doubled the number of residents with access to fresh produce within a quarter-mile of their homes in National City. By partnering with 29 local stores, BrightSide reduced transit times to fresh food for over half of National City’s population, significantly improving access to healthy food in underserved areas. To date, BrightSide has distributed over 500,000 units of produce across the county, providing a sustainable solution for food inequality across the South Bay region. Read more about the study’s finding by clicking the link in our bio!

08/15/2024

🌱ONE WEEK AWAY / UNA SEMANA🌱

04/12/2024

Join the Center for Regional Sustainability at SDSU's 2nd Annual Sustainability Summit on Wednesday, April 17th, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm! Held at Montezuma Hall in the Student Union, immerse yourself in a day filled with inspiring speakers, engaging panels, and informative poster sessions all aimed at advancing sustainability. Free food will be provided at this zero-waste event, including gluten-free and vegan options. We're thrilled to spotlight our keynote speaker and the founder of SDSU’s CRS, Geoff Chase! Additionally, don't miss Carson McKinstry's insights on GIS and Kieran Gomez's contributions in the poster section! The CRS will also be tabling at the event. Swing by our booth to say hi, learn more about our ongoing projects this semester, and to grab some cool freebies! See you there! 🌿

03/26/2024

Join the San Diego River Park Foundation
in conducting their Seasonal Riverbed Homeless Census, April 4th-7th at various locations across the county:

📆 Thursday, April 4th - Grantville
📆 Friday, April 5th - East Mission Valley
📆 Saturday, April 6th - East County in Santee
📆Sunday, April 7th - West Mission Valley

Volunteers will help to conduct a point-in-time census along the San Diego River, without approaching homeless individuals directly. Volunteers will work in small teams with a trained staff to walk along designated segments from 6am to 9am each day to county unhoused individuals and structures. The sections surveyed along the river differ depending on the location and level of difficulty. The river's dynamic nature means volunteers may require to hike, crawl, climb, stoop, and traverse long distances during the event. Volunteers will NOT be conducting surveys or waking up people in their shelters, just collecting vital data to inform outreach efforts and raise public awareness. Sign up for multiple days to make a lasting impact! All volunteers must be 18+. For registration and further information, visit the link below! https://sandiegoriver.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=915238

03/20/2024

🎉Exciting News!🎉 The Archivo Histórico de Tijuana is transitioning into the digital realm! In partnership with the Instituto Municipal de Arte y Cultura (IMAC), we're digitizing Tijuana's extensive history, dating back to 1889.

Led by Lisa Lamont and Jessica Barlow, our team is diligently digitizing tens of thousands of items, including file boxes, news clippings, and vinyl records. These will be easily searchable in both English and Spanish.

Our goal is not only to preserve history but also to make it accessible. With bilingual tags and descriptions, researchers worldwide will have comprehensive access to Tijuana's archives.

This project celebrates Tijuana's culture, capturing snapshots of public events and shedding light on its origins. With the help of our dedicated team, we're preserving this invaluable history.

Thanks to a grant from the UCLA Modern Endangered Archives Program, these digitized archives will be available at both SDSU and UCLA libraries.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this journey together! 🌟

03/13/2024

San Diego’s Environmental Service Department is introducing a brand new Debris Assistance program to streamline debris removal for residents and businesses affected by the recent storms across the county. This program implements numerous essential components to enhance debris management:

1. San Diego has placed large roll-off bins in storm-affected areas like Southcrest, Encanto, Mountain View, and Lincoln Park for neighbors to share. These bins are for proper disposal of storm-generated waste and debris. Remember, no Household Hazardous Waste allowed. City staff monitor bins regularly and replace them when full.

2. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes various items such as aerosols, paints, batteries, pesticides, and medications. It's prohibited in dumpsters or roll-off bins. If you're unable to transport HHW to the City's Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility due to flood impacts, arrangements can be made for direct removal from your home. Contact 858-694-7000 or use the Get It Done app to schedule drop-off appointments or door-to-door service if necessary.

3. The Environmental Services Department (ESD) of San Diego will assess the need to replace lost or damaged black, blue, and green bins in affected areas due to the storm. If necessary, new bins for trash, recycling, and organic waste will be provided. Residents can request replacements by calling 858-694-7000 or reporting it online at sandiego.gov/get-it-done.

4. In-person assistance for storm-related issues is offered at Mountain View/Beckwourth Library, located at 721 San Pasqual St. Internet access and digital devices are available on-site.

Assistance is available on Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If contact isn't made during these times, you can reach Environmental Services at 858-694-7000 or email [email protected]. Outside of these hours, virtual assistance is provided at https://www.sandiego.gov/recovery.

03/05/2024

🌟EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!🌟 The Sage Project at SDSU thrilled to announce its partnership with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego for Spring of 2024! Together, we are fostering synergy in local sustainability through supporting their efforts to launch the Black Women’s Resilience Project. Swipe to learn more about this powerful partnership as we prioritize health equity and socioeconomic mobility across San Diego County!