Spotlight Stories

Focus Groups with Youth

The Chollas Creek watershed in southeastern San Diego is polluted by runoff and trash. Local organizations are working to restore the watershed of the Chollas Creek’s south branch to improve environmental conditions and reduce crime. They want to understand the residents’ attitudes toward the creek and environmental sustainability so they can develop effective educational programs to engage them in stewardship and utilization of the creek and it’s watershed.

UCCE collaborated with Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and Jackie Robinson YMCA and conducted 4 focus group research meetings with 35 youth from 5th-12th grades. The youth were educated about Chollas Creek and then asked why it is important to them and for suggestions on water conservation, pollution prevention and preventing re-infestation by the invasive giant cane. The data is currently being evaluated, however a project webpage was created to keep the community updated.