SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2025
Join Us For The Summit
ABOUT US
Join us at the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit! Together, our community tackled critical conversations about air quality and health, sparking ideas and action for a healthier future.
The summit is presented by the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare.
At the bottom of this page, you will find some additional resources regarding air quality and health in our region. Check back frequently, as our team will add additional resources as we find them!
VENUE
The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
Self-parking is plentiful and will be available free of charge.
71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA
Telephone: (760) 328-5955
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Andrea Vidaurre
Co-Founder, Member, and Policy Analyst – People’s Collective for Environmental Justice
Andrea Vidaurre (she/her) grew up in the territories of the Tongva, also known as the “Inland Empire” of Southern California. The Tongva are an Indigenous people of California from the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands, an area covering approximately 4,000 square miles.
Ms. Vidaurre has lived at the intersections of multiple issues, which led her to engage in work that advances her communities’ quality of life. Over the past couple of years, she has worked on environmental justice issues throughout the Inland Empire and has helped pass landmark policies that are transforming our freight transportation system. She is a co-founder, member and policy analyst at the Peoples Collective for Environmental Justice, a community-based organization focused on fighting environmental racism and finding solutions through community work.
In 2024, she was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, which is an international recognition for grassroots leaders. Earlier this year, Ms. Vidaurre was named to TIME magazine’s annual list of 100 influential people.
She said about the recognition: “What an honor it is to represent the work we do in the fight for clean air and environmental justice — especially here in the Inland Empire. We are striving to transition the logistics industry to zero emissions and ensure that communities are not sacrificed for the sake of next-day delivery. We are in the most important years of addressing the climate crisis. In order to do that we have to first address environmental justice which is one of the root causes of climate change.”
EXPLORE
Tours
On Day 2 of the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit, attendees will have the opportunity to join guided environmental tours showcasing local efforts in clean energy, water conservation, waste reduction, and air quality improvement—highlighting the vital connection between environmental sustainability and community health.
SUMMIT AGENDA
Agenda is subject to change.
Registration and Breakfast
Check-in and enjoy a Continental Breakfast
1 hour
Opening Remarks and Introduction
Chris Christensen, CEO, and Carole Rogers, Board President - Desert Healthcare District and Foundation
20 min
Chris Christensen
Born and raised near Great Falls, Montana, Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Montana State University. He went on to earn a certified public accountant’s license, then applied his knowledge and skills during more than 25 years in the homebuilding/construction industry and 12+ years in healthcare. Chris joined the Desert Healthcare […]
09:20
Transition Period
10 min
Session Topic: The Changing Climate: Impacts, Challenges, and Action
1 hour
10:30
Transition Period
10 min
Session Topic A: Advancing Renewable Energy & Green Technology
1 hour
Session Topic B: Balancing Growth: The Environmental Impact of Land Use, Infrastructure, and Corporate Distribution Centers
1 hour
11:40
Lunch & Vendor Expo
Enjoy lunch and visit our exhibitions.
1 hour
Keynote Speaker: Andrea Vidaurre: The Peoples Collective
30 min
01:10
Transition Period
10 min
Session Topic A: Mitigating Air Quality RFP Grantee Solutions
1 hour
Session Topic B: Building Tomorrow: Youth in Action Today and Careers in Environmental Health
1 hour
02:20
Transition Period
10 min
Session Topic A: Health Expert & Community Member Panel
1 hour
Session Topic B: Navigating the Future of Water: Challenges, Solutions, and Sustainability
1 hour
03:30
Transition Period
10 min
Session Topic A: Strenghtening Environmental Health: Government & City-Led Responses
1 hour
Session Topic B: Salton Sea & Lithium Extraction: Balancing Opportunity and Environmental Impact
1 hour
04:40
Transition Period
10 min
Closing Remarks: Chris Christensen, CEO, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation
10 min
Meet at the Designated Meeting Point
- 7:30 AM - Meet at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa to check-in and enjoy a light breakfast before departing to the site tours
1 hour
08:30
Depart to the Site Tours
- 8:30 AM - Board the buses and depart from The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Snacks and water will be provided during the site tours
15 min
Site Tour Routes (Run Simultaneously)
Route One:
- 9:15 AM - Palm Springs Windmill Tours
- 10:30 AM - Desert Water Agency Hydroelectric Generating Plant
- 11:45 AM - Good Earth Compost Project and Gardens, St. Margaret's Church Location
Route Two:
- 9:15 AM - Renova Energy
- 10:30 AM - SunLine Transit Hydrogen Fuel Plant
- 11:45 AM - Palm Springs Windmill Tours
3 hours 45 min
Return to the Designated Meeting Point
- 12:30 PM - Depart from the last tour site and return to The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
30 min
Arrive at the Designated Meeting Point
- 1:00 PM - Arrive at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
10 min
REGISTER HERE
RELIVE SOME OF THE BEST MOMENTS FROM THE 2024 SUMMIT!
Explore our photo gallery to see the powerful moments, inspiring speakers, and community connections that made this event unforgettable. Don’t miss the chance to join the crowd and share your favorite highlights!
SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS:
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PODCAST
About
Presented by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, the Healthy Desert, Healthy You podcast explores a variety of important health and wellness topics affecting Coachella Valley residents — from environmental health to primary and mental healthcare. Each episode features a health expert, nonprofit leader, notable advocate, community partner, board director, or regional stakeholder who’s engaged in improving life in the desert.
The podcast is hosted by Will Dean, director of communications and marketing for the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation.
RESOURCES
There are several programs available to help mitigate air quality issues. Please take a look at the information below to see if one of them is right for you!
RUHS Climate Change Program
The Climate Change Program from RUHS-Public Health is working on a project to help communities address environmental and climate issues. Your feedback is valuable in understanding the community’s needs.
Please take a few minutes to fill out this short survey. Your responses will play a vital role in helping create a project that will benefit the community.
Eastern Coachella Valley Community Air Monitoring
This page is dedicated to the Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) community data platform for real-time continuous measurements, interactive data summaries, air monitoring progress reports and the Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP).
Limiting Your Exposure to Air Pollution
Air pollution in and around your home can come from a variety of sources and can cause health problems for you, your family and your neighbors. Here are some tips to minimize how much air pollution you breathe in and around your home.
Sign Up for Air Quality Alerts
You can receive accurate air quality advisories that can be tailored to your specific location. South Coast AQMD’s award winning app provides real-time and forecasted air quality information using data from regulatory monitors, hundreds of low-cost sensors, and state-of-the-art models with scientifically validated methods developed by air quality experts.
Join the UC California Naturalist Climate Stewards Course
Discover how climate change is impacting our natural and social systems, and learn how you can make a difference with the UC California Naturalist Climate Stewards Course. This 10-week program at UCR Palm Desert combines online and hands-on learning, experience sharing, and volunteer service to empower you to improve ecosystem and community resilience.
Residential Air Filtration Incentives
The Residential Air Filtration Program aims to reduce residential exposure to particulate matter (PM) in participating AB 617 Communities. Residents within the Eastern Coachella Valley are eligible for free portable air filtration units and replacement filters, improving indoor air quality.
Wildfire Smoke & Ash Health & Safety Tips
Wildfires can often cause high air pollution levels that are harmful to your health. Protect your health by taking steps Before, During, and After a wildfire to reduce how much pollution you are breathing.
CARB Community Air Grant Opportunity
The California Air Resources Board’s Office of Community Air Protection has released its Community Air Grant (CAG) Cycle 5 Request for Applications. These grants fund California 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Native American tribes for projects addressing air quality issues in heavily polluted communities. This cycle offers $16 million in funding.
Open Burn Program
Rule 444 – Open Burning (PDF) is designed to ensure that open burning is conducted in a manner that minimizes emissions and impacts, and that smoke is managed consistent with state and federal law in order to protect public health and safety.
Filing a Complaint
You can help South Coast AQMD protect public health in the South Coast Air Basin by making a complaint about air quality problems online or call 1-800-CUT SMOG.
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