Alianza Coachella Valley Releases Results from New UCLA Community Survey
In partnership with the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, Alianza released A Vision for Thriving Salton Sea Communities: Findings from the Pathways to a Resilient Salton Sea Survey which outlines community priorities for the region, including support for infrastructure projects that promote recreational activities, as well as environmental and public health. The report presents findings from 346 surveys 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, as well as 103 youths aged 11 to 17.
“The trends found in Alianza’s survey can provide the region a starting point for reimagining the Salton Sea Area by centering the needs of community members,” said Victoria Ciudad-Real, graduate student researcher at the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center.
The findings reveal:
- Eighty-five percent of respondents desire access to the Salton Sea area in North Shore via Highway 111 but encounter infrastructure barriers.
- Ninety-five percent of respondents are supportive of a trail to the Salton Sea for residents and visitors.
- One third of respondents favor restoration projects in the Salton Sea region that prioritize environmental and public health..
“Alianza’s findings capture the local priorities of the residents they surveyed,” said Veronica Terriquez, director of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center. “Community voice is important as the region experiences climate change and new economic developments.”
