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UNITE TO HEAL OUR COAST
October 13, 2024 | 12:00pm | Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach
What is UNITE TO HEAL OUR COAST?
Join us for Unite to Heal Our Coast, on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Pier Plaza in Imperial Beach. This event is co-hosted by Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter, Un Mar de Colores, San Diego Coastkeeper, Friends of Friendship Park, Sierra Club San Diego, Emerald Keepers, San Diego Bird Alliance, Spirit Runners, the Transboundary Pollution Coalition for Advocacy and Healing, and is part of Tijuana River Action Month.
This event offers all of San Diego County and beyond a chance to come together, build community, and participate in a range of activities, including advocacy on the transboundary pollution crisis, the coastal ribbon project, a community mural, a celebration of the year’s achievements, and features informative displays and live music and dance.
We are advocating to heal our coast, heal our river, and heal our communities from the transboundary pollution that has plagued our communities in the South Bay and beyond for decades and led to one of the most significant ongoing public health and environmental justice emergencies in our country. Come out and add your voice to this massive display of solidarity.
What To Expect
Schedule of Events
12:00 PM - Opening Performance by Montgomery High School's Mariachi Band
12:30 PM - Guest Speakers
1:30 PM - Advocacy Walk with signs + group photo on pier
2:00 PM - Advocacy Activities + Art + Music + Tables + Door Prizes
3:30 PM - Grand Prize Drawing for a gorgeous custom-painted surf board!
3:40 PM - Final Performance from Mar Vista High School's Pan Asian Club Dancers
4:00 PM - Event Concludes - Thank you for joining us!
Delicious Bites: Food will be provided by longtime local favorite, El Tapatio! We’ll also have fruit and water available, so bring your reusable water bottle.
Join the Action: Stop by our advocacy tent to learn about our efforts to tackle the public health and environmental justice crisis impacting residents in the South Bay and beyond. You can also take part in the new public health survey, participate in our Coastal Ribbon Project to share your hopes and aspirations for our coastline, and contribute to our community mural.
Scavenger Hunt for Kids: Bringing kids to the event? Awesome! We’ll have a tent staffed by volunteers who will provide details about the scavenger hunt!
Bring: A blanket or outdoor chair to sit on on the grass during our exciting speaker line-up, and a refillable water bottle!
Dynamic Speakers
Our dynamic list of speakers includes local advocates, scientists, community members, elected officials, and youth voices, representing impacted communities and allies. Additionally, we're honored to have Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre, deliver the keynote address. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from those working closely to address this issue.
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Live Music & Performances
We'll start and end the gathering with special performances from South Bay high school students! In between, we'll be treated to sweet beats from local DJ Jose Monterrosa.
Tasty Refreshments
Fuel up with delicious food from local favorite, El Tapatio!
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Advocacy Activities
Advocacy activities will be present throughout the event. These include holding signs made at a community art build the weekend prior and wearing t-shirts (provided to the first 250 people to sign in) with advocacy messages, writing postcards to elected officials, signing petitions and letters, walking in community along the designated course, and sharing experiences in the Tijuana River Watershed, amongst others.
Anyone planning to participate in the event must register.
Participatory Art
Don't miss the chance to participate in our Coastal Ribbon Project! Share your thoughts by responding to the prompt, "In the face of climate change, pollution, inequity, and other challenges, what is your hope for your local coastline?" and read the inspiring answers from others.
Additionally, the event will feature a community mural based on the message, Heal Our Coast, and art activities for children.
Free Event T-Shirts!
That's right . . . we're providing free t-shirts to the first 250 people to check-in!
Missed the free shirts?
Don’t worry! Event t-shirts will still be available for a recommended donation at the Merchandise/Donation Booth—while supplies last!
- Printed locally by: Boca Rio Ink, Imperial Beach
- Sizes Available: Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL
Grab your shirt and show your support!
Featured Artist
Josué Baltezar (he/him) is an illustrator, muralist, and printmaker who believes art should be accessible to everyone. He has led murals and multimedia projects throughout San Diego (Unceded Kumeyaay Territory), where he lives. As a former undocumented immigrant from Mexico, he recognizes the power of art in amplifying voices and advocating for meaningful causes within his community.
Josué has created a series of striking images for this event that tie together our hearts, lungs, and eyes with other species that also call this beautiful, complex region home.
Grand Prize
Throughout the afternoon, you will have a chance to get door prize tickets by visiting event tables and booths. Door prize drawings will take place regularly between 1:30-4:00pm.
Don't miss your chance to win this gorgeous, unique custom artwork surfboard, generously donated from Un Mar de Colores!
Important to Know
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State of the Tijuana River
The Tijuana River Watershed is a magnificent place. It supports countless species, offers numerous recreational opportunities, and holds cultural significance to visitors and communities living nearby.
Yet, every day, millions of gallons of toxic waste, including untreated sewage, industrial chemicals, and trash flow through the watershed and out to the Pacific Ocean, causing beach closures across South San Diego County and widespread illnesses on both sides of the border.
As a result, San Diego County’s southernmost beach has been closed for more than 1000 days and counting and the Tijuana River was named one of the top ten Most Endangered Rivers in the United States in 2024.
This is a grave public health and environmental justice emergency. It will take all of us standing up, adding our voices, working together, and demanding action to create the social movement necessary to end this crisis.
Public Health Concerns
Before attending this event, it's important to be aware that there are serious health concerns about exposure to contaminated air and water in Imperial Beach and areas in proximity to the Tijuana River.
Staying up-to-date on the latest public health information will help each of us to make a well-informed decision about the safety of spending time outside in Imperial Beach for this event and otherwise.
This L.A. Times article summarizes the latest set of concerns shared by researchers from Scripps Institute of Oceanography and San Diego State University School of Public Health. Additionally, this blog provides further insight into the air quality data coming out and steps to take in response.
Masks will be provided for attendees to help address air quality concerns. We will continue to monitor the situation to the best of our ability and as the event gets closer, provide the information we have.
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Meet Our Team
UNITE TO HEAL OUR COAST is a coalition effort to bring people together in community around this issue. Several local groups have joined forces to make this event a reality. We are thrilled to be able to share it with you and hope you will join us!
This event is part of Tijuana River Action Month (TRAM), an annual series of events from mid-September to mid-October hosted by the TIjuana River Action Network on both sides of the border to build awareness and take action to protect the Tijuana River.
Supported by
This event is supported by the City of Imperial Beach and local businesses, IB Printing (promotion and event materials), Boca Rio Ink (t-shirts), and El Tapatio (food)!
Big shout out to all our supporters who helped to make this event possible.
Funded by the Conrad Prebys Foundation
This event is made possible through generous funding from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, which supports impactful work to improve the health and well-being of communities.