We’re thrilled to announce our very first cohort of Climate Resilience Fellows in collaboration with San Diego Canyonlands. Ten fellows have been selected to help advance climate solutions in San Diego through training and skills development related to climate resilience, Nature-based Solutions, community outreach, habitat restoration, and more.
This fellowship is part of our San Diego Conservation Planning Hub, which brings coastal resilience experts and community members together with the goal of mitigating climate challenges in coastal dunes and urban canyon ecosystems. Meet the fellows below!
Asilia is a non-binary Oaxacalifornian born in Oaxaca and raised in San Diego County. They spend a lot of time outdoors whether it is for fun, leisure, study, exploration/curiosity, and pure admiration. They are a subsistence gardener, seed steward and aspiring plant breeder, and community composter. In their free time they practice their skills as a community collaborator with Mat Ichech, a volunteer-run organization and an independent tool lending library collective. They are also supporting Earth Discovery Institute as a Climate Action Corps fellow. Outside of work, they dabble in many hobbies as a musician, jewelry maker, and enjoy sports.
Caden is a San Diego local with a B.S. in Biochemistry from UC Riverside and is currently pursuing an MPS in Wildlife Conservation and Advocacy at Unity Environmental University. Caden works as a medical assistant at San Diego Family Dermatology and volunteers regularly with San Diego Canyonlands. Caden is excited to expand his conservation work through the partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Daniel volunteers on the weekends with San Diego Canyonlands and is excited to further contribute to improving climate resiliency in a changing world. Currently, he works as a STEM educator for local elementary and middle school students. He graduated from UC Riverside in 2022 with a B.S. in computer science. While at university, he led undergraduate research developing new kriging methods for geospatial information. Daniel attended University City High School and participated in Boy Scout troop 271. He was born and raised in San Diego and can often be found enjoying its natural spaces.
Isabel (Izzy) is excited to be a Climate Resilience Fellow with San Diego Canyonlands and the San Diego Natural History Museum and to contribute to habitat restoration and community engagement work through this program. Izzy is passionate about promoting environmental sustainability for all species and fostering community involvement in San Diego's outdoor spaces. Izzy’s hobbies include reading, swimming in the ocean, snowboarding, and practicing yoga.
Jenny recently switched careers and has enjoyed getting involved in conservation, starting with the Botany Department of the San Diego Natural History Museum. In addition, Jenny enjoys participating in habitat restoration projects with various organizations around San Diego County. Currently working at The Nat as a botany apprentice, Jenny is particularly interested in preserving and growing native plants to make a more hospitable environment for all birds, animals and insects. Jenny also works part time at the Lake Jennings campground kiosk and enjoys watching all kinds of fun wildlife including roadrunners, turkey vultures, and osprey.
Madelyn was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and moved to San Diego in 2020 to study at San Diego State University. With an avid gardener grandmother and a mother who spent over two decades working as a florist, she grew up with a love for flowers and nature. Madelyn earned her B.A. in Sustainability with a minor in Anthropology and has a passion for connecting people with the environment. When she’s not at work, she finds joy in reading, spending time with friends, caring for her many plants, and doing yoga. She has stepped up to a leadership role within the Climate Resilience Fellowship, serving as the cohort’s primary point of contact with The Nat.
Michael was born and raised in California and moved to San Diego from Orange County in 2018. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in History but has since pursued a career in data engineering for a local telecommunications company. A resident of the City Heights neighborhood, he has worked closely with San Diego Canyonlands to restore natural habitats throughout San Diego, while meeting amazing people along the way. Michael is excited for this opportunity with The Nat to learn and grow as an individual while giving back and contributing even more to the beautiful San Diego community. Michael enjoys playing drums with his band, reading books, playing video games, spending time with friends and family, and volunteering.
Rebekah was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada and moved to the California Bay Area at 14 years old. Rebekah studied at UC Santa Barbara and obtained a B.S. in Biology, later moving to San Diego after graduating in 2022. Rebekah loves to go bird watching, camping, practice yoga, and playing with her cats Bean and Pippin. I’m transitioning into the conservation biology world so I'm excited to be involved in this fellowship where I can expand my knowledge in native plants, animals, and restoration.
Rosalind is a former Sales and Marketing professional currently on a re-education journey with a focus on environmental science and conservation. In addition to being a Climate Resilience Fellow, Rosalind is currently working towards a California Naturalist Certificate, volunteering at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, and is a seasonal maintenance aide at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Rosalind is an animal lover, whale watcher, avid mountain biker and hiker, with a passion for preserving, conserving, and restoring our natural environment.
Ryan grew up in San Diego, adventuring in local canyons, mountains and deserts. He recently returned to San Diego after living in the Pacific Northwest for 20 years. His background includes backcountry trail crew, residential tree service, wildland firefighting, wetland biology and bicycle advocacy. He's connected with San Diego Canyonlands in an effort to reform and expand his relationship with the natural spaces that inspired his passion for environmentalism in his youth. As a Fellow, he hopes to broaden his own awareness of the complexities in our canyon ecosystems, build a deeper sense of community by engaging new canyon goers, and help advance ongoing restoration efforts in the area. He'll be seeking out fragrant plants and admiring the oaks to inspire his bonsai practice.
Posted by The Nat.
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