Located in San Diego County along the U.S.-Mexico border, the small town of Jacumba Hot Springs is home to Jacumba Lake. Spanning seven acres, the lake was part of a restoration project designed to serve as a hub for gatherings and recreational activities for the town’s modest population of approximately 500 residents. Jacumba holds a deep historical connection to the Kumeyaay people who were some of the earliest land stewards and inhabitants of this beautiful desert oasis. The project, which included the planting of more than 200 native plants and trees, was spearheaded by Lacey Cannon and her elder Richard Bugbee, a Kumeyaay ethnobotanist. Their efforts aimed to create a place of remembrance, serenity, and healing for all who visit.

As a regular contributor to National Geographic Your Shot, I created this project as one of my submissions. It is currently waiting to be reviewed by an editor.