Erick Valdez

Erick Valdez is an Education Manager at Crystal Cove Conservancy. He develops and leads K-12 Science, Engineering, Technology, & Mathematics (STEM) programs based out of Crystal Cove State Park which is located in Southern California’s coast in Orange County. On his spare time, Erick likes to hike and boulder.

Emma Galofré García

Emma Galofré García (she/her/ella) is currently a PhD student at CU Boulder studying critical approaches to wildlife ecology and conservation as well as drought and water scarcity in the Intermountain west and its relationship to sense of place. Emma works to dismantle systems of oppression in the conservation and academic communities. Emma currently serves as… Continue Reading Emma Galofré García

Emily Tamayo

Originally from Hawai’i, Emily Tamayo has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. She is passionate about the connections between the Earth and its people with a focus on land justice and decolonization. She loves her cat, reading Critical Race Theory and related stories/poetry, drinking tea, and trying new foods and cuisines. She is… Continue Reading Emily Tamayo

Emanuela Torres-Marquis

Emanuela Torres-Marquis (she/her) is an educator, interpreter and animal lover. During her undergrad she interned with Current Problems a non-profit based in Gainesville, FL which sparked her passion for community engagement and working with volunteers. After graduating, she served in an AmeriCorps position as the Community Volunteer Ambassador for Yosemite National Park where she served… Continue Reading Emanuela Torres-Marquis

Valeria Casas

Valeria De Jesus Casas is a first-generation Mexican American storyteller, healer, and self-proclaimed ” Eco Chola.” She works as a Program Manager for the Student Conservation Associations’ Texas Houston Community Program, an urban conservation service program for local Houston youth. She aims to shift the conservation narrative and build bridges between Environmental Justice, Public Health,… Continue Reading Valeria Casas

Alexa Sharp

Alexa Sharp (she/her) is the Youth Program Coordinator for Southwest Conservation Corps. Starting her conservation experience in the Spring of 2021, she gained a variety of hands-on experiences and explored themes of leadership as a crew member. She went on to serve as a Crew Leader for an exceptional Women’s+ Conservation Crew, which was an… Continue Reading Alexa Sharp

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa (she/her) is an educator, advocate, and lover of the outdoors. She is passionate about working with and advocating for BIPOC folks, especially Black youth, to have access to the natural world, healthy food, and environmental justice. In her current role as the Environmental Education Programs Manager at the SF based nonprofit, CommunityGrows, she teaches… Continue Reading Vanessa Williams

Joi Ward

Born and raised on the east coast, Joi (she/her/hers) is an artist and educator currently based out of Oakland She is a founding member of Latitude High 37.8, where she gets to celebrate and support young people as they navigate the world. As a visual storyteller, Joi enjoys documenting relationships between people and place. She is deeply inspired… Continue Reading Joi Ward