Voices of Pajaro: Capturing Climate Change Through Local Lenses
May 2024
In the heart of the Pajaro Valley, where agriculture meets community, climate change isn't just a distant threat—it's a daily reality. Through the power of photography and personal narrative, residents of Pajaro are now telling their stories in ways that words alone cannot capture.
A Foundation of Climate Justice
Regeneración emerged in early 2016 from grassroots conversations that identified a crucial gap in Watsonville's community landscape: the need for local climate justice advocacy. Founded on the principle that climate change is fundamentally a social justice issue with profound local impacts, Regeneración has grown into a catalyst for community resilience. Their community-based research has consistently focused on understanding and amplifying the voices of Pájaro Valley residents, ensuring that local needs and hopes drive climate action.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
Regeneración’s Pajaro Photovoice Project represents a groundbreaking approach to documenting climate change's impact on this community. Five residents—including two high school students, two fieldworker mothers, and a community leader—embarked on a journey to answer a crucial question: "How is climate change impacting the town of Pajaro?" Through a series of workshops participants captured compelling images that tell stories of flooding and extreme weather events. Their photographs, paired with personal narratives, offer intimate glimpses into how climate change affects their families, livelihoods, and community fabric.
Strawberry
“In this photo I feel like emphasizing a feeling of being left behind compared to people in Watsonville, especially during the floods.”
- Ricardo
A Gallery of Community Voices
The public was able to view the powerful work on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, when Somos Cafe in Watsonville transformed into a gallery space showcasing these visual testimonies. More than just a photo exhibition, this event represents a platform for community voices often left out of the climate change conversation. Each image and accompanying story serves as a window into the real-world impacts of environmental challenges facing the Pajaro community, while also highlighting their resilience and hope for the future.
Ricardo, Elisa, Angelina, Jose with certificates from Regeneración
Nancy Faulstich, Executive Director of Regeneración
“It was a very moving experience to hear each Pajaro resident speak about their participation in the project and witness their firm commitment to the well being of their community.”