La Tierra es Testigo (the land is witness) is the result of an environmental justice project created during the Artists At Work (AAW) Borderlands Fellowship in collaboration with the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) and Casa Familiar.

Each month, we hosted a series of botanical illustration workshops for community members. These workshops were designed to provide an educational opportunity to learn about key native plant species and to recognize the importance of the natural landscape in shaping cultural identity, collective memory, and the prosperity of individuals and communal well-being.  This project aims to support the park’s preservation and help maintain these accessible public spaces while honoring and respecting the park's history, biodiversity, and its echoes.

The following artworks depict a collection of memorials located throughout the Otay Valley Regional Park. These objects have become a vital part of the park’s identity over the years, evolving and decaying in tandem with the surrounding natural environment. Ultimately, these altars merge with nature and serve as poignant reminders of grief, loss, and the essence of those who have passed away. It is hoped that the presence of these memorials fosters respect, awareness, and positive change, standing as a testament to a future where acts of crime and violence are merely shadows of the past.