Meet Abby Costello, our summer fellow here at the Tijuana River Estuary. Abby (she/her) is a rising sophomore at Stanford University studying Environmental Economics and Policy, and she is passionate about cultivating environmental justice through community engagement and policy. Supported by the Stanford Earth Systems Public Service Fellowship, Abby spent the summer interning with the Training and Engagement Team under Binational Coordinator Ana Eguiarte to learn about binational policy and collaboration in the watershed.
What brought you to the Tijuana Estuary this summer?
When I decided to come back home for my first summer since starting at Stanford, I was looking for an organization I could arrange an internship with through Stanford’s Earth Systems Public Service Fellowship. Having grown up in the area, I knew I wanted to work on the Tijuana sewage issue, which I’ve seen affect so many people that I know. So, I figured that given all the amazing things I’ve heard about the estuary, I should explore the opportunity of working there!
What did you work on during your fellowship?
While I was involved in all sorts of things, from an upcoming mural project to Tijuana River Action Month, I spent most of my time working on the Binational Debris-Related Flooding Response Guide. This guide, which is aimed to be used in response to flooding in the Tijuana River Valley, was created through the comprehensive data collection of input from the many stakeholders throughout our community. My role was analyzing the input provided by stakeholders in Mexico at a workshop held by the team. Once integrated into the guide, we can ensure that the many important voices contributing to this topic are represented.
What are some of your main takeaways from this summer?
One of the most significant things I learned during my fellowship was gaining an understanding of the many complex relationships and layers within the watershed, which all intertwine when it comes to solving problems.
What was your favorite part of the fellowship?
My favorite part of my fellowship was getting to know everyone at the Estuary, who made each day in the office so much more fun.
What do you want people to know about the Estuary?
I’d want people to know that the Estuary, while most notable for its beauty, is so much more than that. It’s a place where the people within it are contributing to the world on a greater scale, through research, legislation, education, community building, and so much more!