Alianza Coachella Valley brings together community members, nonprofit organizations, researchers, and government officials to pursue projects that can help the Salton Sea region thrive. As part of its mission to improve the region’s environmental condition and residents’ quality of life, Alianza developed and administered the Pathways to Resilient Salton Sea Survey to East Coachella Valley residents.
Alianza’s goal was to gather residents’ preferences for projects designed to transform the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, a California state park. The park attracts thousands of visitors every year, but it lacks adequate infrastructure for recreational activities. In addition, environmental concerns have grown as the Salton Sea shrinks, exposing contaminated soil that is dispersed as dust, presenting a serious threat to residents’ health.
The Pathways Survey focused on access, amenities, and environmental restoration in the Salton Sea State Recreation Area. Survey findings will be used to inform campaigns that seek to make improvements in the region.
Alianza partnered with Lideres Campesinas, Coachella Valley Parents, Sierra Club, and Loma Linda University to administer paper and online surveys. In total, 346 surveys were collected from residents of Mecca, North Shore, Thermal, Salton City, Coachella, Oasis, and Desert Shores between December 2023 and April 2024. The sample included 119 seasonal workers and 124 other adult residents. In addition, the sample included 103 youths between the ages of eleven and seventeen, 13 of whom were also seasonal workers.
Staff and student researchers from the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center analyzed the de-identified data as part of a community-research partnership with Alianza.
Key Findings:
- An overwhelming majority desire access to the Salton Sea area in North Shore via Highway 111, but they encounter infrastructure barriers.
- A majority are supportive of a trail to the Salton Sea from North Shore for residents and visitors.
- One-third prioritize environmental and public health measures in the Salton Sea region.
View the full report below.
