Growing up in Southern California, I spent a great amount of time in natural areas exploring, camping and hiking. I learned native flora and fauna, and how to track and observe them. I developed a love and knowledge for natural history that flourished during my time at UC Santa Cruz. I gained experience keying and identifying plants, animals, and fungi, plotting and surveying species, and delineating ecosystems. I examined the ways that humans have shaped our environment, and how to look for ways to minimize our negative impacts.