Los Laureles Canyon: Research in Action Premieres Fall 2009

In collaboration with Keith Pezzoli, at UCSD's Urban Studies and Planning program and others, Shannon is producing on a documentary about watershed planning and sustainable development in Los Laureles, a canyon that starts high in Tijuana, crosses the U.S.-Mexican border and ends at the Tijuana River Estuary in Imperial Beach, California. Some 65,000 people live in Los Laureles, and because of inadequate infrastructure, much of their waste flows unrestricted down the canyon into the estuary, threatening the wildlife that depend on its pristine wetlands for survival.

The UCSD-TV crew in Los Laureles Canyon. From left to right: Willie Wiliams,
Harry Caruso, Rachel Bradley, Laura Castañeda, Matt Alioto, Shannon Bradley
Notice Laura Castañeda in the group? We're delighted to have her back with us on this project after her compelling and courageous documentary, The Devil's Breath: Border Crossers caught in San Diego's Wildfires (2008)

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State of Minds: October 2009

We have stories in the works from contributors Larissa Branin, Paul Pfotenhauer, and Roxanne Makasdjian. Stay tuned for more information and be sure to check out the State of Minds archives.

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The Devil's Breath Nominated for an Emmy

"The Devil's Breath" was nominated for Best Documentary (Topical) but alas, the winner was Crossfire: Water, Power, and Politics

Still, we were proud to be nominees!

Principal Photographer Willie Williams, Executive Producer Shannon Bradley, Producer and Host Laura Castaneda, Editor Joaquin Elizondo

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Interview with Producer Shannon Bradley for Quarry Falls

UCSD-TV: What sparked your interest in Quarry Falls?

Shannon Bradley: I heard a story about the San Diego River Park Foundation getting a donation of 17 acres right on the river in Mission Valley and I couldn't believe it. How in the world does a non-profit get a gift like that? Land that was zoned for a 30-story hotel? So that's where it started. Then I found out the landowners also owned the 230-acre quarry across Friars Road that was slated for development. And when I looked at the plans for the site, I was impressed by what they wanted to do there. So that became our story: how the landowners would go about building support for their plan to turn the quarry into a mixed-use development and in the process, donating the 17 acres to the River Park Foundation.

UCSD-TV: When you hear the words "sand and gravel mine," a livable space is not
usually what comes to mind. What makes this site ideal for development?

SB: Because the quarry site is in the exact center of San Diego! Literally the heart of Mission Valley! It's close to everything. And the whole mantra of smart growth is to reduce the distance people must travel between home, work, school, and recreation...

Read the Entire Interview

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