The Welcome Week and Beyond-Maria Lopez Vazquez -Landscape Architecture 2026

As a Maharam Fellow with the Tijuana River National Estuary Research Reserve (TRNERR), I hit the ground running. 

After a great intro-briefing meeting with my Mentor, Ana Xochitl Eguarte, the Binational Liaison for TRNERR, I was up to date on the multiple projects and activities on the radar for the next couple of weeks.

One of the first events I attended was a think tank on binational education led by a California Assembly member. I was happily surprised by the efforts and incentives local institutions, private and public alike, are setting up to facilitate transborder education. They acknowledge the rich tapestry of experiences coming out of the region and want to promote and facilitate it. 

In my second week, I witnessed the culmination of years of collaborations with different non-profits to create recycled products sourced from local waste. This project was featured in the 2024 San Diego-Tijuana World Design Capital. 

This week, I am turning a technical trash characterization report into a readable and user-friendly document that everyone can understand. The trash that is affecting the Estuary is the same kind that can be upcycled into these amazing products. This flyer is geared towards raising awareness in the community.  

It has been an amazing start. I’ve met many people who love the San Diego -Tijuana region and are working on improving it, it’s all about collaboration from different fields, and It’s comforting and inspiring.