The Port of San Diego is inviting adult residents to sign up for the next Portside Community Academy, an educational program targeted in building connections with portside communities. This provides residents with a deeper exploration in the local maritime industry and helping improve health and quality of life on and around San Diego Bay. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish and begin in September. Selected participants will be notified and provided the schedule to confirm their attendance.
“We are excited to welcome new participants to the Portside Community Academy,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners in a press release.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage with our community, learn about our ongoing clean air and electrification initiatives, and become ambassadors for positive change. We encourage everyone interested to sign up and be part of this enriching experience.”
This educational program is designed with topics of special interest to residents of portside communities, which encompass parts of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights and National City, along with communities in Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, and San Diego. The Portside Community Academy is a pioneering cross-departmental effort, representing the Port’s dedication to becoming a “Port of Firsts.” It aligns with the Maritime Clean Air Strategy and efforts to be an early adopter of zero-emissions technologies for ships, cranes, tugboats, and trucks, while also addressing the specific needs and concerns of environmental justice communities, including community education. Participants receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity to be recognized at a Board of Port Commissioners meeting.
Following its launch in 2023, the Academy has graduated 55 participants from its structured educational program. Designed for adult community members, this five-session program was developed by subject-matter experts within the Port and covers various aspects of the Port’s clean air and electrification projects, focusing on impacts on human health, quality of life, and technological advancements in the maritime industry. It includes a bus tour of the marine terminals and a narrated boat tour of San Diego Bay.
Recent graduates of the program have provided these comments:
“I enjoyed the discussions with the speakers after their presentations. I liked the opportunity to hear from my peers in the program and their diverse experiences.”
“The information learned at the Academy made me more well-versed in Port issues and projects. These sessions will certainly help in my professional life.”
For more information and to sign up on the interest list for the Portside Community Academy, please visit portofsandiego.org/academy.
