The most rewarding part of the fellowship was co-leading AFC’s field trip program in which I helped educate over 3,000 students during 89 field trips at the Rosemont Preserve. It was a pleasure to work alongside so many dedicated volunteer docents whose commitment to volunteering and nature education was inspiring. I’m grateful to these volunteers that make the programming possible. I also found working on AFC’s Preserves to be incredibly fulfilling. As I watched the land transform through each season, I found myself growing alongside it. I’ve become attuned to the fauna and flora that blanket Los Angeles’ foothills, discovering that the city is far more vibrant and biodiverse than I ever realized. On weekends, I would co-lead AFC’s habitat restoration events in which I met so many Angelenos who were eager to support their local lands. There’s nothing better than sharing conversation over a morning of pulling out invasive Mustard. 

Restoration work is only possible when communities feel welcomed and empowered to take care of the land around them. A trip to Washington D.C. as a representative of AFC, showed me the same community-driven values on the national stage as I saw within our community here in Los Angeles. Meeting with land trusts across the country to advocate for policies supporting conservation reinforced the importance of working together. Ultimately, this fellowship taught me that meaningful, impactful conservation happens through the collective effort of people at every level.