For about a decade since its inception, the South Valley’s Center for Social Sustainable Systems has worked to retain water rights in the community, as well as preserve water, land, and the traditions and culture associated with both.
KRQE reported that CESOSS executive director Jorge Garcia added to the organization’s mission a new program, called "Hidden Gems," that collects community feedback to "identify community values and celebrate community leaders." Garcia drew inspiration for Hidden Gems from a project done in the Tenderloin Community of San Francisco, stating CESOSS hopes the initiative highlights the best the South Valley community has to offer.
“In order to maintain water rights in the South Valley, we need an educated community that understands the need to train young people to understand the interconnection to land, water, and policy not only for the maintenance and water but also to have a community that can actually defend itself and protect what we consider to be a constitutional asset,” he told the station.
Garcia added that what makes South Valley unique is the people’s special connection with its natural resources.
The first phase of the project will begin with the collection of surveys from South Valley residents, who can complete them online through mid-November. The second phase, KRQE reported, will involve area artists, filmmakers, poets, and writers.
