**Hands-on Effort: Wild Coast Cleans Tijuana River Channel**
For the third consecutive year, a brigade of activists from Wild Coast conducted a manual cleanup of a section of the Tijuana River channel. This initiative aims to pressure state and municipal authorities into removing the accumulated waste, preventing it from reaching the Pacific Ocean and endangering marine ecosystems. Armed with shovels, bags, and a trailer, the volunteers collected debris, including tires and trash, which, if not removed, would likely be swept onto beaches by upcoming rains.
Starting at 9:00 a.m. on this Tuesday morning, the activists gathered at the river channel near Plaza Península. Rosario Norzagaray, Marine Debris Manager for Wild Coast, highlighted this area as crucial for intercepting garbage before it shifts northwest, threatening the ocean and the cross-border estuary. “We’re here to try and stop all the trash from ending up in the ocean and estuary. If we succeed, our neighbors can’t label us as dirty or neglectful. We might not be able to stop sewage, but we can certainly halt trash; it’s all about management,” Norzagaray emphasized.
The activist called for improved environmental awareness across sectors: communities need to dispose of waste properly; companies must adhere to ecological regulations; and the government should enforce stricter penalties on polluters. “Today’s cleanup in the Alamar stream that connects to the Tijuana River is because a significant amount of trash is coming from informal settlements. There are many unblocked entrances to the channelization, and I’m convinced that dump trucks are accessing these points, providing disposal services without disclosing their final dumping grounds, as evidenced by the large amount of waste in the pilot canal. A sofa didn’t get there by itself; nor did a pile of tires and trash. Someone placed them there,” she asserted.
Norzagaray pointed out that the pilot canal section from Gato Bronco to Murúa is critically overloaded with waste. “People need to grasp their responsibility. If we want a clean Tijuana, we have to clean it ourselves—there’s no other way,” she declared.
Wild Coast has spearheaded various projects in Tijuana to prevent litter and pollution from reaching the sea. One notable effort took place at the Rancho Las Flores channelization in Matadero Canyon, with participation from the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar. However, the absence of local leaders, such as Mayor Ismael Burgueño and Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, was notable during this initiative.
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**Secondary Article: Community and Government Join Forces for Environmental Action in Tijuana**
As environmental initiatives gain momentum in Tijuana, local communities and government officials are increasingly collaborating to address pollution and waste management challenges. Recent efforts have seen residents and volunteers engaging in clean-up activities along the Tijuana River to curb the flow of waste into the Pacific Ocean.
Local authorities are considering implementing stricter regulations and providing resources to support these community-driven efforts. Enhanced logistics for waste disposal and increased public awareness campaigns are part of the strategy to foster sustainable environmental practices.
The government has also announced plans for future infrastructural improvements to prevent overflow during rainy seasons, reducing the likelihood of waste washing into water bodies. Collaborations between community organizations and municipal authorities aim to create lasting change and promote a cleaner, healthier environment for Tijuana and its neighboring areas.
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the shared responsibility in preserving natural resources and ensuring the well-being of local ecosystems for future generations.