Pajaro Valley Youth Share Climate Stories Through Photography

What does climate change, infrastructure, and community pride look like to a teenager in the Pajaro Valley? A recent exhibition hosted by our collaborative member, Regeneración, provides a clear and moving answer.

Through the Pajaro Valley Youth Photovoice Project, twelve local high school students spent five weeks over the summer studying the intersections of environment, infrastructure, and community identity. Supported by the River Network and the UC Santa Cruz Education Department, the students used photography to document both the challenges their neighborhoods face and the unique beauty that defines them.

The resulting images, recently showcased at an opening reception at Somos Watsonville, offer an authentic look at the region through the eyes of its youth.

Dayanara Describing her work

Capturing Both Strength and Disparity

The student photographers did not shy away from the complex realities of their daily surroundings. Their lenses captured critical infrastructural and environmental issues, such as:

• A chain-link fence around the Pajaro Branch Library, which has remained closed since the devastating 2023 floods, highlighting a lack of resources in Monterey County.

• Infrastructural disparities, including a sidewalk and road striping on Las Lomas Drive that come to an abrupt end.

• A bus stop next to a busy highway that completely lacks a bench or shelter for waiting transit riders.

• A cracked, slippery stretch near Green Valley Road that poses safety hazards for pedestrians in the rain.

  
  

Yet, alongside these challenges, the exhibition heavily featured themes of community resilience, art, and cultural pride. Students documented vibrant local murals, greenery growing in community spaces, and local car shows that celebrate Watsonville’s creative spirit.

Fostering the Next Generation of Leaders

The core goal of the Photovoice Project is to shift the narrative, giving young people a platform to speak out on issues that directly impact their future. As Regeneración Director Nancy Faulstich noted during the public ceremony, the area's youth are living with the consequences of choices made by previous generations, making their perspective invaluable to regional planning.

For the participants, the project was transformative. Students shared that the program helped them build personal confidence, discover a new passion for visual storytelling, and realize that their words and perspectives carry real meaning.

Audience of parents, educators, county sustainability staff and others appreciated the students' words

By equipping young residents with the tools to critique and celebrate their environment, projects like this lay the groundwork for true climate justice. When we listen to youth leaders, we gain a clearer understanding of how to build a safer, fairer, and more functional Monterey Bay area for everyone.

Where to See the Exhibit Next

While the initial display at Somos Watsonville has concluded, Regeneración is currently working on traveling the gallery to new venues. Stay tuned for updates on future dates and locations where you can view these powerful student photographs in person throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.