When I get the chance to observe animals, I feel inspired to bring attention to their importance. Early on, I found a passion for being a naturalist: I enjoyed camping, hiking, and learning about the environment. As grew older, I began to witness the damaging effects of human development and climate change and realized I wanted to pursue wildlife biology. After enrolling in community college, my passion for biology deepened, and I strived to become more involved in the scientific community. Because there were no ongoing research projects at my community college, I decided to participate in conservation through volunteer work instead. As a volunteer at a local wildlife rescue, I educated guests about California's ecology. Interacting with the public and witnessing their excitement as I spoke about our local wildlife was incredibly fulfilling, and I felt a deep satisfaction in sharing the joys of nature with others. Shortly after this experience, I completed my associate degree in biology and received acceptance into UC Davis as a wildlife, fish, and conservation biology student. After speaking with an advisor about research opportunities, I was directed to the Fish Conservation and Physiology Laboratory, where I became an assistant working on the green sturgeon conservation project. Our project aimed to understand if metal screening used to prevent objects from flowing into water diversion systems was effective to use with a threatened species of fish, green sturgeon. As an assistant, I gained many valuable skills in fish care, data collection, and video analysis. Overall, working with like-minded individuals to create viable solutions to fish conservation issues was an insightful experience that excited me for a career in research. After I receive my bachelor's degree, I plan to enroll in an ecology graduate program to strengthen my expertise in research with the ultimate goal of becoming a biologist in the government sector. In the future, I hope to work with the state to manage research projects that conserve native species and minimize human-wildlife conflicts. As an emerging scientist, I am eager to conduct research that will have a lasting impact on both the environment and my community.

Habitat loss is arguably the most pressing environmental challenge of our time, it has led to the destruction and fragmentation of ecosystems, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and the disruption of ecological processes. As the habitats of countless species are lost, vital functions such as nutrient recycling, resource production, and climate regulation are diminished. These consequences extend far beyond the immediate environment, affecting food security, human health, and public safety. Addressing this challenge is imperative for the future of our planet. As a wildlife conservation biology student, I am deeply committed to implementing the solutions that will help mitigate this crisis through education, research, and activism. Education is a powerful tool in the fight against habitat loss. Growing up, I was captivated by the natural world and turned to wildlife television shows to satisfy my curiosity. Unfortunately, I had limited access to other forms of educational material in wildlife biology, which fueled my desire to make the natural sciences more accessible to everyone. For two years, I volunteered at a local wildlife rescue as an animal attendant and docent, where I led guests around the rescue and on guided hikes to highlight the importance of native plants and animals. Guests were often surprised by the vital roles these organisms play in our lives, and left with a newfound appreciation for nature. By showing others the beauty and functionality of nature, we can encourage them to become environmental stewards. Conserving habitats also requires thorough research to assess underlying issues. As a student, I have been involved in various research projects, including studying the effects of human development on native California fish species. Through hydrology experiments, I discovered that water diversion systems significantly decrease fish health and survival. My project is a great example of how research helps us understand what exactly contributes to the environmental issues we experience. I am committed to applying my research to real-world issues in order to find viable conservation solutions for habitat loss. However, research alone is not enough; meaningful change requires activism. As an advocate for habitat conservation, I stay informed about current events related to climate change and human development. I regularly attend public city meetings, where I engage in discussions and advocate for more sustainable practices at the local level. Additionally, I write to Congress to express my concerns and urge lawmakers to prioritize environmental protection in their legislative agendas. By staying active and involved, I strive to contribute to the development of policies that safeguard our planet for future generations. Habitat loss is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach to address effectively. By combining education, research, and policy we can create a comprehensive strategy to combat this crisis. I am passionate about contributing to these efforts and believe that through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to conservation, we can improve this detrimental issue.

My passion for wildlife conservation has driven me to help others foster a deeper connection with the natural world. As a volunteer at a local wildlife rescue, I’ve taken on various roles, such as guiding tours, caring for rescued wildlife, and tending the native plant garden. Throughout my time as a volunteer, I developed a passion for educating others about California’s rich riparian and marine ecosystems. To ensure that people from all backgrounds can engage in environmental education and activism, I offer bilingual tours. Coming from an underrepresented background myself, I find immense joy in connecting with diverse communities through our shared passion for nature. Seeing the excitement and curiosity in those I teach reinforces my belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change. My goal isn’t just to spread knowledge, but to empower others to become stewards of the land. I prioritize helping youth connect with the outdoors by teaching school children how to garden and restore habitats at the rescue. I show them how to use tools like trimmers, hoes, and shovels to remove invasive plants, and I guide them in collecting seeds, planting them, and creating ideal conditions for germination. In our modern age, not all children have access to outdoor activities, which I believe is a great loss, as nature provides numerous physical and mental benefits. As an advocate for natural spaces, I am passionate about making nature accessible to everyone. To improve access to natural spaces, I make it a priority to stay informed about current events and emerging issues related to climate change and human development. I regularly attend public city meetings, where I leave comments and engage in discussions to advocate for more sustainable practices at the local level. Additionally, I write to Congress to express my concerns and urge lawmakers to prioritize environmental protection in their legislative agendas. I do my best to stay active and involved in order to contribute to the development of policies that better safeguard our planet for future generations. My experiences as a volunteer and advocate have shaped my long-term goal of becoming a biologist in the government sector, where I aim to lead research projects that conserve threatened species and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. By committing to conservation work, I aim to make a lasting impact on the environment and the communities that rely on its services. I believe it is my purpose to help others through conservation research and education.

The world is full of astonishing species, each with its own behaviors and mechanisms that contribute to the ecosystem. Whenever I get the chance to observe wildlife, I feel inspired to understand and bring attention to its importance. Early on, I found a passion for being a naturalist: I enjoyed camping, hiking, and learning about the environment. As I grew older to witness the damaging effects of climate change, I realized I wanted to use my abilities to pursue wildlife conservation. So today, I am working on my associate biology degree at a local community college. After this, I plan to transfer to a 4-year university and major in fish and wildlife conservation biology. Once I finish my bachelor's, I would like to further my zoology education by attending graduate school. With the proper education, I aspire to become a wildlife researcher or care specialist. After determining my career choices, I started to dedicate my time to nonprofits that focus on conservation education and animal care. For instance, after the pandemic, I started volunteering at a local wildlife rescue. At the rescue, I learned more about conservation than I could have ever hoped for. I was particularly impressed with the variety of native species that reside in my hometown. From there on, I became highly interested in learning about native flora and fauna. The employees and other volunteers at the rescue taught me hands-on about the wetland, ocean, and tide pool ecosystems. With the knowledge I gained, I learned how to educate guests about the animals we had on exhibit. As my skills progressed, I became capable of guiding public nature hikes alongside the staff, which is now one of my favorite activities. This was a significant experience because it allowed me to spread awareness to the public about local wildlife. After volunteering at the rescue for an extended period, I realized that the field of veterinary medicine also interested me. After doing a bit of research, I applied to volunteer at a feral cat neuter and spay clinic. Witnessing surgeries, grooming cats, and recording their vitals were all tasks that I performed. I adored my work at the clinic, and it has inspired me to conduct wildlife epidemiology research in the future. I intend to continue my education and dedication to conservation efforts as I develop my career. With these skills, I aspire to conduct research that develops methods for wildlife to thrive and coexist in today’s urbanized societies. In addition to this, I am eager to use my future knowledge to rehabilitate animals in need, manage breeding programs, and care for animals that cannot be released.

As a student who believes in the strength of both governmental and individual action, I believe it’s important to live a sustainable lifestyle. My mother is from Southeast Asia, and her culture emphasizes the importance of respecting nature and preserving its resources. As a result, many of my sustainable practices were adopted from her. She taught me how to utilize food scraps in cooking, how to handwash clothes, and how to use only what’s necessary. In our household, a great deal of our items are reusable. Instead of toilet paper, we have a bidet. Instead of paper towels, we use fabric. Instead of plastic bags, we reuse jars, and so forth. However, I grew to understand that the best way to live a sustainable lifestyle is to learn more about climate change and spread knowledge about it. For example, toward the end of the pandemic, I started volunteering at a local wildlife rescue. At the rescue, I learned more about nature conservation than I could have ever hoped for. The employees and other volunteers at the rescue taught me hands-on about the wetland, ocean, and tide pool ecosystems. With some of the knowledge I gained, I learned how to educate guests about the animals we had on exhibit and the challenges they faced due to anthropogenic stressors. Many of the guests didn’t understand the importance of wildlife and were surprised about the detrimental effects of climate change. I believe that educating others about the effects of the climate crisis within their city is a vital way to create a sustainable lifestyle for all. In addition to this, I live sustainably by advocating for policy change. Like many others, I live in a region where pollution is rampant. My county lacks public transportation options, which forces individuals to resort to purchasing automobiles. This leads to many consequences such as economic disparity, declining air quality, and habitat loss. In order to combat this, I attend city meetings and advocate for bettering our transit systems. I also vote on the city, state, and national levels whenever elections or policy polls arise. I believe that being an advocate for a sustainable lifestyle must be done on an individual and governmental scale. In my eyes, anyone can live a sustainable lifestyle as long as they do their best to make changes in their own everyday lives. Application, education, and advocacy are the three main ways for ordinary people like myself to impact the environment in a positive manner.