environmental
Justice

A photo taken by a drone depicts a building in Heber, CA with a mural painted on the side with flora and fauna and a message that says, "Protect the Pollinators"

Our Environmental Justice program recognizes our local history:  a century of racialized extractive labor in farmwork and mining that  impoverished our families, sickened our bodies, and polluted our air and water. 

Now, we work for a different future. One where our local resources are distributed transparently and equitably. One that puts people and our planet before corporate profits.

INITIATIVES

A mural painted in IVEJ's Calipatria office depicts local flora and fauna from the desert along with a sign with a message that says, "Not a sacrifice zone"

Heat Preparedness & Response

Enhancing Community Resilience in Imperial Valley through Inclusive Decision-Making for Heat Preparedness & Response

The Governor’s Office of Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program selected IVEJ and our partner Comite Civico Del Valle to facilitate community engagement in the development of a comprehensive local heat plan and begin to carry out immediate solutions to the extreme heat in the Imperial Valley. In addition to creating an action plan for IV, the regional table will fund demonstration projects during summers 2025 - 2026 to carry out immediate solutions to the extreme heat in IV. 

Logo for Vale Unido por Beneficios Comunitarios depicts a burrowing owl (the coalition's mascot) in front of a mountain range and cooling towers associated with geothermal energy

valle Unido

Valle Unido por Beneficios Comunitarios

We are proud to organize as part of Valle Unido, a coalition of residents, organizations, unions, and  environmental justice advocates fighting for a clean environment, healthy communities, and economically sustainable jobs in California's "Lithium Valley.” We believe that it is time to ensure that the families and workers of the IV get their fair share and are protected from the environmental impacts of development. Valle Unido is committed to securing legally binding Community Benefits Agreements with the major companies in Lithium Valley. 

Read more about Valle Unido: http://valleunido.org 

Keep Cool, Imperial Valley

Keep Cool, Imperial Valley! is a countywide effort led by a coalition of community organizations to protect our most vulnerable communities during the extreme heat days. When days reach 113°F and above, our organizations will provide immediate extreme heat relief by handing out water, wet towels, and other supplies to our neighbors. 


Volunteer: bit.ly/volunteer-with-KCIV

An aerial image shows the majestic landscape of the lower Colorado River valley that the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian tribe is trying to protect

Protect Kw’tsán

IVEJ is working in solidarity with the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe to protect more than 380,000 acres in the lower Colorado River Valley of Imperial County, California. These lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management and part of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe’s homelands. The Quechan people remain committed to the preservation of cultural values, belief systems, lifeways, traditional practices, and the sovereign legal rights of Native American People.


Sign the petition today to Protect Kw’tsán! bit.ly/protect-kwtsan-2025