Christy Walton is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and activist. For the past 45 years, she has worked in partnership with communities to accelerate innovations that strengthen community engagement, economies, and land and ocean environments. Her focus has always been on the communities in which she lives and works.
To integrate her ideas, Christy founded iAlumbra, a collective of organizations focused on social, economic, and environmental well-being. iAlumbra believes that systems work best when solutions are informed by those closest to the issues.
Christy’s One Sea and One Municipality at a Time focus exemplifies her place-based approach to community, economic, and ecological resilience. Her work in the Gulf of California and Baja Peninsula spans the full coastal ecosystem and seeks to demonstrate a regenerative relationship between the ocean, land, watersheds, and communities while generating positive economic outcomes.
Her interest in science, ocean vitality, and coastal resilience led to the development of submersible offshore aquaculture systems, farmable warmwater finfish species development, finfish and shellfish genetics advancements, and species with resistance to climate change. This integrated system has a generative ecosystem benefit by creating safe zones for wild fish, while also producing jobs and enabling year-round diversified fish production for the market. Over time these efforts improve ocean health while creating local economic opportunities.
“My interest is in investing in systems that bring positive changes in social, environmental, and economic health, which I see as inextricably intertwined.”
Similarly, Christy’s focus on the interface between the ocean and arid peninsula ecosystem led to the development of water retention and erosion management practices resulting in groundwater and aquifer recharge as well as increased biomass and biodiversity. In parallel, holistic livestock management and regenerative land practices have also contributed to the regeneration of soil health with quality food production and integrated tourism operations.
By combining investments, philanthropy, advocacy, and coalition building, Christy is committed to constructing sound foundations now and in the future. She believes that the collective approach can demonstrate immense possibilities that support community resilience and environmental health, celebrate local culture and history, and foster a new generation of leaders equipped with the tools and knowledge to bring balance back to the world.
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