Who We Are
The Tijuana River Coalition
convenes over 50 community-based organizations, elected officials, academic and public health institutions, and government agencies. Our goal is to raise awareness about the public health crisis in the Tijuana River Watershed and to drive actionable solutions that protect our communities and ensure equitable access to clean water, clean air, and safe outdoor spaces for all.
VISION
We are united by our vision of a Tijuana River and coastline in Southern California and Northern Baja where all children are free to play at school and on the beach without risking a trip to the emergency room; where the river, estuary and coastline support vibrant habitat, wildlife, and migration corridors; where we can all breathe clean air, swim and surf in clean water, and enjoy being outside without getting sick; and where a robust economy and safe work spaces support visitors, emergency responders, and working families without being assaulted by toxic pollution.
PURPOSE
We aim to lessen the impact of transboundary pollution on communities and address the deeper historic injustices that have led us to this point so all may heal and thrive.
Our Partners
Our coalition is led by the YMCA, Surfrider Foundation, Outdoor Outreach, and Un Mar de Colores, and is funded by the Conrad Prebys Foundation
OUR PARTNERS
Artist Statement
Josué Baltézar (he/him) is an artist and designer who believes art should be accessible to everyone. He understands the crucial role that art and design play in advocating for environmental and social justice.
This design for the Tijuana River Coalition brings together various elements to symbolize the dedication to advocacy for and protection of the Tijuana River region, which includes both sides of the US/MX border. A mountain sits prominently in the center, with two houses at its base, representing our communities on both sides of the border. The Tijuana River flows through the mountains and down into the foreground, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. On the left and right of the mountains are native plants, including giant kelp on the left and prickly pear cactus on the right. Above the mountains, a brown pelican and a monarch butterfly fly toward a radiating sun. The design aims to convey a sense of interconnectedness and call attention to the need to protect our natural environment and the communities along the entire Tijuana River region.
The eye, heart, and lungs elements combine ocean waves, representing our shared coastline, with the human elements that connect us to our environment and each other.
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