Twelve students attending high schools in the Pajaro Valley participated in a series of five workshops during summer 2025 in our second annual project. The workshops focused on building their knowledge of topics such as climate change, infrastructure, air quality, and environmental justice.
The participants were given weekly assignments to take photos in their community and come back the next week and use their photos as discussion points for what they see as challenges and strengths of their community. These discussions were conducted by Regeneración staff with the support of UC Santa Cruz faculty from various departments including the Art, Education, and Applied Mathematics Departments.
Thank you to our funders, the River Network & the UC Santa Cruz Education Department & our partners, the UC Climate Action Arts Network, the UC Santa Cruz Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, our program host Somos, and support from the Resisters.
The photo gallery opening occurred on October 9, 2025 at Somos in Watsonville and provided an opportunity for student participants to share their photos with their friends, families, and wider community. Photos will be exhibited at Somos through the calendar year and we hope they will spur discussions among viewers and create spaces for the youth participants to share their thoughts about their community.
Image: 2025 PhotoVoice Student Participant Vicente G, a resident of Pajaro speaking with former City of Watsonville Mayor Rebecca Garcia