We connect San Diego's BIPOC communities with the land, ecological knowledge, and environmental justice tools they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
Black and Brown communities in San Diego and across the country face the greatest burden of environmental harm — from food deserts and lack of green space to toxic exposure and climate vulnerability — while having the least access to resources and decision-making power.
ASCENDtials Environmental Programs bridge that gap. We bring hands-on urban farming, ecological education, land healing, and environmental advocacy directly into BIPOC communities — building knowledge, capacity, and collective power that lasts for generations.
Our approach is rooted in ancestral wisdom: African agricultural traditions, Indigenous land stewardship, and Kemetic earth philosophy form the foundation of everything we do. We believe healing the land and healing our communities are the same work.
Young people and families learn to grow, harvest, and preserve food using ancestral techniques and modern urban farming. We operate community gardens where fresh produce is hardest to find — turning food deserts into sites of abundance and community gathering.
Our curriculum connects climate science to lived community experience — helping participants understand why environmental harm falls disproportionately on BIPOC neighborhoods and how to organize for change at the local and policy level.
Combining mental health support with outdoor experiences to address trauma, anxiety, and disconnection — especially among youth and elders.
We train community members to show up to city hearings, understand policy, and build collective power for cleaner air, water, and green space in their neighborhoods.
Weekend immersions rooted in Kemetic cosmology and Indigenous land teachings — bringing community members into direct relationship with land, water, and sky for deep restoration.
We treat traditional ecological knowledge from African and Indigenous cultures as foundational — not supplementary — to environmental education. Programs are co-designed with the communities they serve.
No experience required — just a commitment to community and land. Join us in our gardens, events, and educational programs. We welcome everyone willing to show up.
We partner with community organizations, schools, and faith communities to launch Environmental Programs in new neighborhoods across San Diego and beyond.
Your donation funds seeds, tools, curriculum, and the dedicated educators who make transformation possible in under-resourced communities. Every contribution directly supports our programs.
Kemetic Yoga is an ancient African Yoga art form that promotes African philosophy and practices originating from the land of Kemet. This ancient practice emphasizes the rejuvenation of the body and mind, providing BIPOC communities with cultural roots that stem from their African origins.
Our Kemetic Yoga sessions use our Whiteness to Oneness™ and KOS-Melanin-ology™ curricula at their foundation. We work to dismantle structural inequality and foster constructive dialogue around Melanin and its purpose.
Kemetic Yoga is an ancient African Yoga art form that promotes African philosophy and practices that originated from the land of Kemet. This ancient Yoga art form emphasizes the rejuvenation of the body and mind as it attempts to provide BIPOC communities with cultural roots that stem from its antique African origins.
Kemetic Yoga preserves ancient African culture through deep breath techniques and movements that activate the nervous system and place the mind into a flow state — emitting alpha waves associated with deep relaxation, increased concentration, and emotional balance. Thus, Kemetic Yoga's breath techniques and movements seek to relieve stress symptoms while providing a deeper understanding of "oneness," alleviating the effects of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Kemetic Yoga is innovative because it places an emphasis on the alignment of the vertebral column while mimicking the geometric configuration of Egyptian pyramids within its poses and movements. Its African origins are imperative to its success, given that it provides African cultural traditions for BIPOC participants seeking to reconnect with their African roots while mitigating the effects of anxiety and stress from corporate jobs, school expectations, and beyond.
Our program hopes to create a safe environment for participants willing to explore themselves through Kemetic Yoga breathwork, movements, poses, postures, grounding, and meditation — vital to strengthening the human body while increasing its digestive system, flexibility, and endurance.
Sessions are offered at the Marina District and other San Diego locations. Kemetic Yoga is also incorporated into our Fellowship Program, youth Park Takeover events, and our Cosmic Literacy workshops (evening sessions).
Our program creates a safe environment for participants willing to explore breathwork, movements, poses, postures, grounding, and meditation. Open to all — BIPOC-centered, all backgrounds welcome.
Our curriculum foundation: Our Kemetic Yoga sessions use our Whiteness to Oneness™ and KOS-Melanin-ology™ curricula at their foundation. We work to dismantle structural inequality and foster constructive dialogue around Melanin and its purpose. Our program is geared toward BIPOC participants, but we welcome participants from all cultures and backgrounds.
ASCENDtials is hosting a hiking event for all skill levels, featuring guided tours of hidden treasures and breathtaking views. Participants will be captivated by towering mountains, waterfalls, and lush forests, while forming new bonds with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The event offers physical and mental benefits, creating lasting memories and friendships.
Join ASCENDtials for guided hikes through some of San Diego's most beautiful landscapes. Our hikes are led by experienced volunteers who know the trails and love sharing the hidden gems of the region — from towering mountains and cascading waterfalls to dense, lush forests full of wildlife.
No matter your fitness level, there is a hike for you. We believe in the power of movement in nature to heal the body and mind, and we design every event to be welcoming, community-centered, and transformative.
Hike with Park Ranger — Join us for a guided hike with a local Park Ranger through San Diego's stunning nature preserves. Experience breathtaking views, learn about local ecology, and build community with fellow outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Monthly cleanups are conducted for 9 highways and ramps, with volunteers provided with safety equipment, trash grabbers, and bags. Reservations can be made via scheduling and entire groups can reserve space.
Cleanups are during the mornings on Saturdays and Sundays. For those wanting unlimited access to cleanups, please sign up as a volunteer — then the schedule link is made available to search dates. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Watch the safety video below before all cleanups take place.
All volunteers receive safety vests, goggles, gloves, trash grabbers, and bags.
Max 12 volunteers per single cleanup event.
No cap on how often you can volunteer — come back as many times as you like.
Request a Letter of Appreciation once your cleanup is complete.
Group cleanups available — sign up with your team.
Please sign the waiver form before your cleanup begins.
Sign up as a volunteer for unlimited access to cleanups. Once registered, follow the instructions in the confirmation message to access our cleanup events.
We look forward to seeing you there!
We celebrate with lunch together! Participation is free — we accept donations for supplies and lunch for the groups.
San Diego's coastline is one of our community's most treasured resources — and one of the most threatened. ASCENDtials organizes regular beach cleanup events to protect our shores, remove harmful litter, and restore the health of coastal ecosystems.
Whether you're a first-time volunteer or a regular steward of the coast, you'll find community, purpose, and a cleaner beach at the end of your morning.
San Diego's coastline is one of our community's most treasured resources. ASCENDtials organizes regular beach cleanup events to protect our shores, remove harmful litter, and restore the health of coastal ecosystems.
All equipment is provided on-site — just show up ready to help. Cleanups are open to all ages, families, and experience levels. Hours count toward volunteer and community service requirements.
Welcome to the ASCENDtials Garden Project, where community and sustainability come together. Our garden, in Bonita's Sweetwater Summit Park, is more than a food source. It's a vibrant space for learning, connection, and caring for the environment.
The Garden Project stems from ASCENDtials' goal to better connect with the earth. We empower people to grow food in pesticide-free garden beds, which are available to our volunteers every day. Our workshops teach them to respect the natural environment. This project aims to grow not just plants, but a community. We seek balance and reciprocity.
Becoming a member of the ASCENDtials Garden Project is easy. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a beginner, you'll find a supportive community ready to help you grow.
ASCENDtials membership requires following our shared commitments. Membership becomes active upon receipt of the membership fee and a $5 key fee for new members. Both new and returning members must attend the annual Spring Gathering and an orientation session to stay active.
New members: A $5 key fee applies to all new members. Both new and returning members must attend the annual Spring Gathering and an orientation session to stay active.
Members must complete 10 volunteer hours per Planting Bed household during the 2025 season (March through February). The Board provides multiple opportunities to fulfil this requirement:
Join ASCENDtials during the tree planting season and assist the Sweetwater Park Rangers in their efforts to restore San Diego's forests. Trees are our planet's lungs, exchanging large amounts of carbon dioxide for oxygen. They improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce stormwater runoff, and cool off our cities.
As we mark a decade of dedication to cultivating San Diego's urban forest and advocating for a sustainable future, we at ASCENDtials are thrilled to partner with Tree San Diego on the "Leafing Our Legacy" initiative. This year-long celebration will see us donating 800 trees across San Diego, enriching our green landscape and bridging environmental disparities.
We will be distributing trees at our Farmers' Markets in City Heights and the Marina District. Fill out the form to reserve a tree. Stay tuned for upcoming dates!
Pick up your free tree and help us green San Diego! This is more than just an event — it's a community effort to enhance sustainability and protect our urban forests. Each month, we'll be hosting tree-distribution events across the city.
ASCENDtials Environmental Programs are actively seeking volunteers, community partners, and supporters who believe in land justice and collective healing.