I’ve always loved being outdoors. Some of my earliest memories are family camping trips to Memorial Park in San Mateo County, where towering old-growth redwoods felt like ancient guardians of the forest. I would crawl through hollowed-out logs, splash in the creek, and count banana slugs, enchanted by the little wonders around me. Those moments sparked my desire to protect nature.
Later, in high school and community college, I learned more about the wonders of the natural world, and how human activity is unfortunately threatening it. These classes inspired me to take action to protect the environment.
Due to personal circumstances I took a break from school to work full time in retail. While the job taught me valuable skills, it often felt like running on a hamster wheel, busy but going nowhere. I longed for a purposeful path connected to my love of nature. That led me back to community college and eventually to UC Davis, where I studied Ecological Management and Restoration with a minor in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.
As a student, I worked as an Interpretive Student Aide with East Bay Regional Parks District. I shared stories about local plants, animals, and history, and especially loved inspiring children to care about their environment. Watching their curiosity grow reminded me of my own adventures among the redwoods and showed me how powerful environmental education can be. This defining experience strengthened my passion for environmental stewardship.
After graduating, a friend told me about the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC), a state-supported program connecting fellows with agencies, nonprofits, schools, and tribes to work on urban greening, food recovery, and wildfire resilience. I applied and was fortunate to join the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District.
As a CCAC Fellow and aspiring restoration ecologist, I’m learning hands-on skills like restoring land, tending native plants, managing natural resources, and collaborating with community partners. One project I love is the Rodeo Urban Garden, a former private neighborhood pool that we are transforming into a community garden open to everyone. Working with partners like Rodeo Citizens Association and Cultivating Self has been inspiring. Watching the garden grow and seeing people come together reminds me why this work matters. There’s something magical about knowing that my hands, once small enough to explore redwood hollows, are now helping cultivate a space that nourishes both nature and community, a full-circle moment that fills me with hope.
