This September, our community comes together once again to shine the light on environmental issues affecting our valley at the second annual Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit. The solutions-oriented gathering will take place September 11-12 at the Westin Mission Hills Rancho Mirage and is free for all to attend.
Presented by the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation (DHCD) and produced by Hocker Productions, the summit builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event, attracting over 300 community leaders, businesses, educators, researchers and residents to inform, educate, discuss and catalyze innovation to find solutions and improve population health.
Thursday will feature speakers, panels and breakout sessions, while Friday offers the opportunity to join one of two free tours departing from The Westin. Tour sites to be explored include a windmill farm, hydrogen fuel plant, solar energy facility, composting project and gardens, among others.
Topping the list of presenters is keynote speaker Andrea Vidaurre, named one of TIME magazine’s most influential people of 2025 alongside Serena Williams, Snoop Dogg and Simone Biles, to name a few. The environmental justice advocate, policy analyst and Inland Empire resident has worked diligently to reduce harmful truck and rail emissions across the region. In 2023, she led grassroots efforts that persuaded the California Air Resources Board to adopt two historic transportation regulations. In 2024, Vidaurre was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for North America with TIME citing her “unique ability to find the intersection of policy and people” and her championing of marginalized communities.
“We are in the most important years of addressing the climate crisis,” encourages Vidaurre. The organization she co-founded, People’s Collective for Environmental Justice, is striving to transition the logistics industry to zero emissions “to ensure that communities are not sacrificed for the sake of next-day delivery.”
Other summit topics include navigating the future of water, balancing opportunity and environmental impact of restoring the Salton Sea, youth in action today, advancing renewable energy and green technology, and more. Attendees will also hear proposed solutions from DHCD 2024 RFP grantees.
“This year, we expect attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the Coachella Valley environment and its impact on residents’ health,” said Chris Christensen, DHCD CEO, adding that the tours will demonstrate the efforts already underway to address our environmental challenges.
For more information and to register for the free summit, visit
www.healthydeserthealthyyou.com.
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