Cultivating Connections: Interview with SCCG’s volunteer Education Coordinator, Dr. Emily Creegan

Dr. Creegan is a Biomass Utilization and Climate Change Mitigation Scientist and an active SCCG volunteer. Make sure to say “hi” when you see her in the Garden.

Dr. Creegan will also be leading our February 15th’s workshop, Gardening for Climate Change!

It is our honor to feature Dr. Creegan as our Cultivating Connections for February 2025.

SCCG: Hi Emily…I mean, Dr. Creegan! What inspired you to get involved in the community garden?

Emily:  Hi, please call me Emily.😊 Last summer I was looking for a garden space to connect with and share my passion for climate change awareness and action. To my surprise, I discovered the San Carlos Community Garden was only a few blocks away from my home, so I stopped by during an Open House. I soon met Gayle, Carol and Kelly; they suggested I help SCCG with their education outreach and that’s how it all started.

SCCG: As the volunteer Education Coordinator for San Carlos Community Garden, what is the vision for 2025’s workshops?

Emily: We wanted to create a workshop series that gets folks involved in a solution, and build a deeper connection to our environment and the food you eat. Some of the themes are: water conservation, sustainable gardening practices and practical tips like integration of native plant species all while making it hands-on. I love to awaken participants’ senses by incorporating movement, touch, and smell into education; that’s what makes the learning experience more real and what you can expect in our workshops to keep you engaged.

2025’s Lineup

Garden Workshops are offered on the third Saturday of each month. For more information for each workshop, click on the workshop image.

SCCG: Aren’t you leading one of the garden workshops this year?

Emily: Yes, I am! I will be the instructor for February 15th’s workshop, Gardening for Climate Change. I’m excited to connect with the community and share how we can impact climate change in our own yards.

SCCG: Can you share a favorite memory or story from your time spent in the garden?

Emily: Two memories really stand out to me. First is when I was able to partner with Kelly and Happy to create social media reels on lessons shared in my book - that was really a fun day in the garden. The other memory are my times volunteering with the Compost Posse led by Michael Land.

SCCG: You mentioned a book, please tell me more. 

Emily:  I co-wrote a children’s book about what we can do to help climate change and resiliency strategies for a changing environment. I also created a supporting journal to explore climate change environmental strategies.

SCCG: How has being part of the community garden impacted your relationships with your neighbors?

Emily: I mentioned before about participating with the Compost Posse. Spending time with the group has been a delightful surprise connection - it has been wonderful meeting new people and getting to know them. Plus it makes me happy to talk “compost” all while getting a good workout turning the piles. 

If you are looking to start composting at your home, or would like to learn more about the process and benefits of composting come get your hands dirty with our Compost Posse, fourth Saturday of the month 9:30-11:00am.

SCCG: If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their own garden, what would it be?

Emily: Use compost! That’s all! Compost plays such an important role in everything! It helps restore the whole system for plants - it stores water and is a nutrient bank plus it helps amend soil. In our area, the natural soil is full of either clay or sand and compost helps break that up making a more fertile environment. Synthetic fertilizers are a short term solution; compost is for the long game. 

WANT FREE COMPOST?

City of San Diego residents may self-load up to 2 cubic yards of compost and 4-inch mulch from the Miramar Landfill Greenery for FREE with proof of residency. For more information on Miramar Greenery products and pick-up, visit the Miramar Greenery webpage.  

[photo courtesy of I Love A Clean San Diego]

SCCG:  This has been a great interview! Last question…Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share that is made from what is grown in SCCG’s garden?

Emily: I am really enjoying this season’s lemons - they have been delicious! I like to keep it simple and enjoy a squeeze of lemon in my water every day.