The Climate Resilience Environmental Education Center at Hahamongna Watershed Park (CREEC@HWP) was envisioned by a coalition of Pasadena environmental nonprofits as a regional hub for climate resilience, environmental education, workforce development, and ecological stewardship. Located within a former U.S. Forest Service complex at Hahamongna Watershed Park, the proposal sought to transform the long vacant complex into a vibrant campus that integrated environmental learning, habitat restoration, scientific research, cultural programming, and community gathering. Grounded in principles of environmental justice and equitable access to nature, the vision positioned the Center as a model for adaptive reuse and climate-responsive public infrastructure while strengthening connections between the Arroyo Seco, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the surrounding urban communities.

Alison, with project partners Takako Tajima and Aroussiak Gabrielian, focused on the early visioning and strategic planning of the site, helping translate the coalition’s aspirations into a cohesive landscape vision. Working collaboratively with project partners, the visioning team developed conceptual renderings illustrating the transformative potential of the former Forest Service complex, refined site-specific opportunities, organized a diverse mix of educational, ecological, cultural, and workforce development programs—including an artist-in-residence component—and helped establish a clear framework for the Center’s long-term identity and public impact. The resulting vision provided a visual foundation for future planning efforts and demonstrated how an existing public landscape could evolve into a regional destination for climate resilience, environmental leadership, and community engagement.