Going into this Fellowship was a complete turn in my life career-wise. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child to be working in nature and supporting wildlife. I went to college to study natural science and political science in hopes of becoming a well-rounded individual who could understand the institutional barriers to protecting the environment. Timing was not in my favor, however, as I graduated university in the spring of 2020, right when COVID quarantines were underway. Like many others, my plans were stalled. I ended up working in a bakery and then in a public school as a classroom aide to make ends meet. Four years flew by and I found myself feeling disappointed by the trajectory of my life. This disappointment, combined with a deep yearning to reconnect with nature, led me to the California Climate Action Corps. I applied for the program and was offered a position as an Urban Conservation Fellow with Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy.

This past year with AFC has flown by, and it is bittersweet to even be writing this reflection. If there is one word that captures my time in this program, it would be “transformative”. The fellowship has been life changing. I’m deeply grateful for the wonderful people I’ve met, the invaluable knowledge I’ve gained, and the many moments that challenged and inspired me to grow. Each experience, whether planting milkweed with friends, in playful conversation with six year olds stumbling around on the trails, or in quiet reflection sitting underneath the snaggled branches of the old oak trees of Rosemont Preserve — reinforced a core belief of mine: nature is a mentor and there is so much to learn.