Erica Maceda, Executive Director of River in Action
Summaries from the Localizing California Waters Conference
Last week I attended the Localizing California Waters conference in Groveland, California. I was surrounded by water guardians and land stewards. I’ll be posting some of the information I learned, here on my substack.
Erica Maceda is the Executive Director of River in Action, an organization that is dedicated to connecting K-5 youth in the Southeast Los Angeles community to local water systems and biodiversity. Erica highlighted the environmental challenges faced by this community, comprising 99% people of color, 70% renters, and largely first-generation residents. She emphasized the prevalence of refineries, highways, and industrial sites, contributing to air pollution and soil contamination.
River in Action's mission revolves around providing education programs, particularly focusing on early education for a healthier future. Erica shared a NASA satellite observation indicating that students of color attend public schools with higher concentrations of air pollution, which can adversely impact their health and cognitive skills. She discussed the specific pollutants affecting communities and illustrates the impact on places like South Gate with carcinogenic pollutants causing cancer.
Growing up along the Upper Los Angeles River, Erica described the wildlife in the area and River in Action's workshops aimed at educating community members, especially children, about solar radiation, pollinators, and water treatment processes. The organization organizes field trips to local water museums and engages in hands-on activities to teach children about water treatment. They also take community members birding along local parks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining bird habitats.
In partnership with Coalition for a Safe Environment, River in Action conducts family planting days in cities like Maywood and Southgate. Erica shared a coloring book she created to highlight the wildlife along the Lower LA River, connecting children to nature in their communities. The organization also conducts nature-based art workshops, encouraging community members to create art inspired by their surroundings.
Having joined Redesign LA in 2022, River in Action focuses on school greening, climate resiliency, and ongoing environmental education. Erica presented a map depicting pollution burdens in the communities they work in, highlighting the challenges faced in the Southeast Los Angeles region. She concluded by sharing a quote from a 5th-grade student expressing the inspiration to contribute to designing a better school for future generations, acknowledging the emotional and environmental healing needed in their community.
Click through to their website for more information about the Localizing California Waters Conference.