EL CENTRO — Career Technical Education Community Health Worker students from Southwest High School recently participated in an immersive educational field experience at the Salton Sea Management Area Restoration Site in collaboration with the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District. The trip aligned with the school’s Project ACE (Air Community Education) initiative, giving students hands-on learning opportunities focused on environmental health and the impacts of air quality on community well-being.

During the visit, guided by experts from the Salton Sea Management Area Restoration Program, students explored active restoration efforts designed to reduce dust emissions, improve air quality, and restore natural habitats around the Salton Sea, an area critically linked to environmental and public health in Imperial County. Staff from the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District facilitated student discussions on particulate matter, community monitoring, and long-term strategies to protect residents from environmental hazards.

“This experience allowed our students to see environmental health in action,” said Jackie Valadez, community health worker instructor at Southwest High School. “By connecting classroom learning to real-world restoration projects, students gained a deeper understanding of how air quality, environmental justice, and public health intersect in our region.”

“This effort is not only a student field trip but also the making of a future leader with skills to ensure awareness of environmental education, global warming, and air quality,” said Belen Leon-Lopez, Imperial County Air Pollution Control Officer.

Community Health Worker student Camila Meram stated, “The visit deepened my understanding of environmental health literacy by helping me see the influence the Salton Sea has on the air quality and how the state is trying to fix the issue within the Salton Sea.”

The education field experience was made possible through funding from the California Teachers Association Institute for Teaching Environmental Educators Grant, with additional support from the Central Union High School District. As part of Project ACE, community health worker students are also receiving in-home air purifiers, reinforcing the program’s mission to promote environmental health and awareness. These partnerships demonstrate a shared commitment to advancing environmental literacy and providing meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities for local students.

Southwest High School will celebrate the achievements of its community health worker students during an upcoming Earth Day celebration event in collaboration with Project ACE. The event will highlight student learning, environmental advocacy, and community engagement efforts connected to air quality and public health. Media partners are invited to attend and cover this special event as students showcase their work and impact within the community.