From Dream to Reality
After completing my honors degree in marine biology, I dreamed of a future where my career would be dedicated to environmental conservation. Fueled by this vision and armed with a dream and the domain name 'Our Eco Planet,' I aspired to establish a citizen science non-profit committed to safeguarding marine ecosystems and fostering environmental stewardship among the public.
However, life had its own plans, and for the next 17 years, my career led me to work tirelessly for various non-profits, focusing on protecting diverse marine and terrestrial species and ecosystems worldwide. The dream of launching my own initiative remained in the background, a tiny ember quietly burning but not catching fire.
In 2019, the time had come to stoke that ember into flames. Collaborating with a former colleague, we organized an all-women's coral reef research expedition to Madagascar. Seeing the participants' faces light up while engaging in conservation and connecting with the local community was magical.
Eager to continue this momentum, I was abruptly halted by the global pandemic. Instead of traversing the globe and sharing my passion with citizen scientists, I pivoted to local conservation efforts in San Diego. Serving as a marine conservation manager and, currently, as a conservation director for local non-profits, I found fulfillment in protecting ecosystems closer to home.
Yet, as the pandemic waned and borders reopened, my desire to work with communities in low and middle-income countries and share this passion with the public rekindled. It was time to dust off "Our Eco Planet" from the vaults and start planning.
Teaming up with a wonderful friend and former colleague, Shailey, a new and exciting expedition began to take shape. Next month, we are set to travel to Mexico to explore various sea turtle conservation projects, hoping to launch a new expedition in 2024.
It's never too late to pursue your dreams. Follow our journey by joining an expedition or reading updates on the Our Eco Planet news page. Together, we can positively impact our planet!
