Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek and its Resident Fellows launched the Chollas Blue Green Vision Campaign in 2024. This initiative aims to promote Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) and stormwater investments in the Chollas Creek Watershed, responding to the devastating storm event on January 22, 2024 and decades of under-investment.

The campaign seeks to engage over 5,000 watershed residents to advocate for public and private investments that address flooding and water quality challenges, while also enhancing parks, trails, green spaces, and public facilities.

READ NOW - Chollas Blue Green Vision

What Does “Blue Green” Mean?

Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) refers to the integration of natural water management systems (blue) and vegetative, ecological systems (green) in urban planning. Unlike traditional gray infrastructure, which relies on concrete and pipes to manage stormwater, BGI incorporates natural landscapes and green spaces to absorb, filter, and manage water. This approach not only addresses water management issues but also provides additional benefits such as lowered temperatures, improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and more attractive public spaces. Video: Example of a BGI approach.

Blue Green Typologies for Chollas Creek +

Blue Green Typologies for Chollas Creek +

Collaborative Efforts

In partnership with San Diego Canyonlands, we have also established the Chollas Blue Green Collaborative. Composed of residents, landowners, City planning agencies, regulators, developers, and industry leaders, this group is developing a comprehensive BGI Plan for the watershed. The first step toward creating a BGI Plan was to establish the Chollas BGII Vision, which enshrines the community’s preferred constellation of benefits in a set of guiding documents that empowers the community and guide public decision-makers in capital project development.

Why a BGI Framework?

Our Chollas Creek communities deserve the best forward-thinking solutions. A multi-benefit BGI Vision will guide public decision-making to prioritize BGI projects, which offer multiple advantages such as flood management, improved water quality, and enhanced green spaces. This holistic approach addresses immediate challenges while creating beautiful community resources and supporting long-term resilience.

Campaign Goals

  1. Raise awareness and support for a blue-green infrastructure approach to climate and community resilience.

  2. Ensure resident priorities are reflected in the Chollas Blue Green Vision and future infrastructure investments.

The Chollas Blue Green Collaborative launched on April 24, 2024. With over 40 of the listed stakeholders present, the meeting included presentations, breakout discussions, and a survey to guide future efforts. Key takeaways emphasized the need for coordinated approaches, guiding principles for future projects, and direct community participation.

READ NOW - Chollas BGI Vision

Resident Empowerment

The campaign has been–and will continue to be–driven by our Resident Fellows. Thanks to support from the Mayor’s Office, Groundwork received national funding to launch its first Resident Leader Empowerment Training in 2024.

Residents complete a four-month training program, and these community leaders create a portfolio of resident-driven BGI project concepts that can be implemented with existing resources. They continue to develop community organizing plans to ensure effective participatory design and planning. All of this is bolstered by Groundwork’s innovative “community science” initiative that empowers residents to gather their own, on-the-ground environmental data to inform project priorities. 

Next Steps

Three more Chollas Blue Green Collaborative meetings are planned through 2026. The dual challenges of budget constraints and climate risks demand an approach to planning that maximizes efficiency while delivering multiple benefits, ensuring every infrastructure investment achieves the greatest possible impact. Crucially, grounding these strategies in lived resident experience ensures that solutions are not only technically sound but also equitable, practical, and responsive to the real needs of the people most affected.

Join the Groundwork email list for more updates on our progress and how you can get involved in making Chollas Creek a resilient and vibrant community.