A non-profit organization focused on keeping trash out of the San Diego River has stopped clean-up efforts because of the risk of Hepatitis A.
"It's a huge problem. We have areas that we're not able to get to, the trash can build up very quickly," said Sarah Hutmacher with San Diego River Park Foundation an organization passionate about keeping the river and areas surrounding it, clean and healthy.
So far this year, volunteers have helped clean up 220,000 pounds of trash. Ninety percent of that is caused by the homeless population, according to the organization.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Non-Profit-Stops-Big-Volunteer-Trash-Clean-Ups-Along-SD-River-After-Hep-A-Outbreak-Continues-450181673.html

No one is monitoring San Diego’s surface water for hepatitis A, even amid a deadly, human waste-fueled outbreak of the disease that can spread through area waterways.

That’s according to a letter from federal officials to U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, who last month asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take “the immediate steps necessary” to address potential waterborne transmission of the viral liver infection that has killed 18 people and sickened nearly 500 others since November.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/hepatitis-crisis/sd-me-hepatitis-epa-20171013-story.html

Years spent tracking “species of special concern”

https://m.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/oct/15/stringers-cheers-badger-den-near-julian/?templates=mobile

From the parking area, walk north up the last 0.1 mile of Ramona Oaks Road, toward a sign reading “NO EXIT,” to a gate blocking further vehicle access. Continue uphill as the road swings northeasterly away from the housing development and turns into dirt,

passing by common chaparral plants such as laurel sumac and flattop buckwheat.

Continuing on the West Side Road, make a dip in and out of a shallow wash where a couple of small oak trees are present. Sugar bush, yucca, goldenbush, and white sage dot the scenery.

https://m.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/oct/18/roam-sneak-glimpse-devils-jumpoff/?templates=mobile

In the war for social and environmental justice, even the best lawyers rarely serve as anything more than battlefield medics.

They do what they can to stop the bleeding for the people, places, and causes suffering on the front lines, but they do not possess the weapons to return fire in any serious way. Lawyers lack effective weapons because American law functions to protect those in power from the rest of us; effective legal weapons are, quite literally, outlawed.

https://sandiegofreepress.org/2017/10/the-rights-of-nature-and-the-power-of-law/

More than 100 volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up the Mission Valley Preserve for National Make a Difference Day. The effort was organized by the San Diego River Park Foundation as part of its annual Clean Sweep event. The volunteers helped beautify the preserve by restoring murals, painting over graffiti and cleaning up hiking trails. They also removed invasive plants that can affect wildlife in the area.

http://www.cbs8.com/clip/13859886/volunteers-beautify-hidden-gem-open-space-along-san-diego-river

More than 100 volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up the Mission Valley Preserve for National Make a Difference Day. The effort was organized by the San Diego River Park Foundation as part of its annual Clean Sweep event. The volunteers helped beautify the preserve by restoring murals, painting over graffiti and cleaning up hiking trails. They also removed invasive plants that can affect wildlife in the area.

http://www.cbs8.com/clip/13859886/volunteers-beautify-hidden-gem-open-space-along-san-diego-river