I was born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula exploring the fascinating coastline I got to call home, from tall redwoods to shrubby chaparral. I grew up camping with my family; but, as a sophomore in high school I was given the opportunity to go on the Sophomore Wilderness Expedition, an 11-day backpacking trip led by upperclassmen and teachers. It was awesome, so I returned for the next two years to be a co-leader and immerse myself in the experience again and again. In 2013 I moved to Boulder, CO where I had friends going to school at the time so it felt like the safest risk I could take while still getting to adventure and explore new areas. 

In 2016 I returned to California to embark on my journey to study Forestry with a concentration in Restoration at Humboldt State University in Humboldt County where I was introduced to the world of natural resource management, which altered my view of the natural world and how we exist in it. 

In 2019 I had the pleasure of working with the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) in coastal Fort Bragg in Mendocino County on a three-person team of summer interns. We helped with trail maintenance, stream-monitoring, educational outreach, leading volunteer events (invasive plant removals, beach cleanups), fence/stair installations/repairs, grant research and writing. I’ve held many jobs, but this was the first job I had that was in the realm of natural resource work and I fell in love. It didn’t feel like I was just working for a paycheck anymore, it felt much more important and fulfilling. 

In the midst of Covid I joined a CA State Parks trail crew in June 2020 doing trail maintenance throughout the North Coast Redwood District, performed logouts, built numerous retaining walls, staircases, and bridges, and our biggest project was the construction of a raised boardwalk through the Grove of the Titans on the Mill Creek Trail in Jedediah Smith State Park. 

I just like helping out and making a positive difference, whether that is for a friend, my co workers or for my community.