As far back as I can remember, I have always had a love for the environment. I think quite a bit of it stems from my upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, and the environmental education I was lucky enough to receive in school. Most notably, I remember some water conservation activists coming in for a presentation one day, where they first opened up my eyes to the issues surrounding fresh water availability. They spoke about the environmental and societal impacts that come along with a draining water table, and discussed the future of Spada Lake, the source of water in the county I was raised. Since then, I have discovered my deep love for the natural world, and have learned more and more about the problems that it is facing today. In an effort to make a positive change, I committed to a vegan lifestyle that I have upheld for many years now, and bike and walk to destinations as frequently as I can. I work hard to conserve water, and help to educate my friends and family on ways they can help our environment. I have also been majoring in hydrogeology, with a minor in soil science, and hope to work a career related to those fields. I believe that a degree in geology, and specifically my concentration in hydrogeology, can provide me with the proper tools and education to pursue an occupation in environmental protection. My dream job would be related to river and lake conservation, whether it be a field researcher, team director, or interpretive helper. I have also looked more into work in groundwater and water treatment, which would lean more towards the interactions of humans the environment. This field I am going into is one I am passionate about, and I am excited to go out and start making bigger changes. In my personal life, I am proud to represent a more climate conscious lifestyle, and have helped educate my close friends and family on behaviors they can conduct to make small impacts here and there. One of the biggest ways I do this is by organizing group potluck dinners known as Meatless Mondays, where all provide different vegan meals along a same theme, which provides a more environmentally friendly way to eat for all those that are not vegan all the time. I also advocate for shorter showers, zero waste options, maintaining environmental protections in backcountry camping, and reducing energy usage. A large chunk of my focus in life is on the protection of nature on our planet, and I have the drive to make a net positive change.