Since moving to Tucson in 2019, I have been captivated by the beauty, wisdom, and magic of the Sonoran Desert. How grateful I am to live within the wild low desert, enchanting Sky Islands, and everything in between. My heart is full, knowing I am only beginning my exploration of this special place.
Since early childhood, I have felt a tangible connection to the non-human animals with whom we share our planet. As a young adult, this awareness expanded as I dabbled in outdoor recreation and developed deep relationships with landscapes. Feeling a responsibility to advocate for these landscapes and their inhabitants, I offered my resources to them through volunteer work. My volunteer work nudged me to graduate school where I studied biology and conservation leadership. My graduate work highlighted the power of community-based initiatives both at home and around the globe. In Baja California, Mexico, I learned from local children about their work mitigating beach microplastics in coastal neighborhoods. In Thailand, Buddhist nuns and monks deepened my relationship to nature through guided mindfulness and meditation. In my Sonoran Desert community, I found, and continue to find, hope in the positive shifts driven by local nonprofits and volunteers. I am inspired by the power of community and believe in the intricate connections between all beings.
Professionally, I work in healthcare where I aim to build awareness regarding environmental health and its connection to individual health. I find my most meaningful work, though, by supporting my community through volunteering and performance-based storytelling. I am also nourished by my ever-expanding relationship with nature. I enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking, swimming, mountain biking, birding, laying in the dirt, observing insects, hugging trees, and anything else that allows me to absorb the all-knowing wisdom of the Earth.