Meet the Winter 2024-2025 Team!
Annika Harding
President
I'm Annika, a third-year Environmental Studies major with a minor in Comparative Literature. I’m passionate about spending time outdoors, and environmental conservation is my way of giving back as someone who benefits from nature. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in public health or environmental policy. My favorite tree is the Angel Oak.
Henderson Vo
Treasurer
Hello! My name is Henderson Vo and I am a second-year Environmental Studies student at UCSB. I joined YCT firstly because I love to be around trees, but also because I feel passionate about environmental restoration, especially within the context of our built environment. Sustainable urban design is something that I am particularly interested in, so I'm very excited to be exploring that through the work being done here at YCT!
Kellen Pierce
Tree Care Coordinator,
Elings Growing Ground Coordinator
Hi! I'm a 4th year Environmental Studies major and YCT is the perfect opportunity to benefit our community and work outside in nature! My favorite tree is Platanus racemosa, the Western Sycamore!
Josie Yon
Secretary
My name is Josie Yon and I am a 4th year student at UCSB pursuing a degree in environmental studies (B.A.) with an emphasis in soil science. I love to surf, hike, run, climb, and learn about our wonderful Earth! I am very grateful for YCT bringing me this opportunity to make a positive, tangible impact on our surrounding ecosystem and community!
Amber Miranda
Intern
Hi! I'm Amber, and I'm a first-year Environmental Studies major at UCSB. I like to crochet, bake, and paint when I'm free. I love nature and enjoy the opportunity to not only be surrounded by trees but also to give back and plant trees for future generations through YCT. I love that I get to work hands-on with the environment and talk to passionate people every week.
Kyra Rodriguez
Intern
Hello! I'm Kyra a third year Environmental Studies major. I am excited to start begin my second quarter with YCT! This program has lead me to meet so many amazing people and deepen my relationship with our Earth! Can't wait for what else is in store!!
Steven Le
Intern
Hello, my name is Steven Le and I am a second year environmental studies major with a minor in earth science! Joining YCT around a year ago, I would have never thought that I would be here this long as I have not only been able to develop my technical skills in forestry field work but have also been able to make lifelong connections along the way!! Therefore, I hope to continue keeping it that way with fellow YCT members as well as the volunteers I will be able to work with along the way!!!
Isla Anderson
Intern
Hi! I’m Isla and i’m a senior at UCSB majoring in Environmental Studies! I love being outdoors whether that’s running, hiking, camping or surfing. I am passionate about conservation and ecology and am excited to collaborate with my peers and the public to work with YCT.
Alona Saffen
Intern
Hello! My name is Alona Saffen and I am a third year double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics. I enjoy spending time outdoors, which is one of the main reasons why I love being a part of YCT. I also like dancing and the color green. I'm super excited to be back with YCT!
Sophie Dutsch-Zdanowicz
Intern
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Mia Ryang
Vice President
Hello! My name is Mia and I'm a third year at UCSB. I am currently pursuing an Environmental Studies B.A. with a minor in Anthropology. I love to create art, listen to music, and be outdoors...or do all three at the same time! I am passionate about the future of our Earth and all the efforts being made to enact change. I think that one of the most important things to do is to bridge the disconnect between us and nature, especially within the youth.
Jessi Rumkin
Harder Growing Grounds Coordinator
Hello, my name is Jessi Rumkin (she/her). I am one of the Harder Growing Grounds Coordinator located on UCSB campus. I'm in my fourth year of pursuing a BS in Environmental Studies, emphasizing restoration using local knowledge and spatial studies. I love hiking, paddle boarding, and just getting outside as much as possible, which is part of why I love working in the nursery at YCT. Education and outreach are essential in creating environmental changes, so I'm excited to continue working with YCT and the rest of the team!
Sarah Toyne
Tree Walk Coordinator
Eliana Shandalov
Volunteer Coordinator
I am a third year environmental science student at UCSB. I love to spend time outdoors, go to music festivals and concerts, travel, do yoga, and spend time with friends. Last quarter, I studied abroad in Costa Rica with a tropical biology and conservation program, so I wasn’t around in the fall. Being back this quarter, I’m so excited to expand the reach of YCT with my position as volunteer coordinator!
Michelle Tang
Intern
Hi! My name is Michelle Tang, and I am a third year Environmental Studies and Geography GIS double major. Being an Environmental Studies major and taking a variety of different classes that taught me knowledge about the environment, I wanted a more hands-on experience, so I joined YCT! I am passionate about enacting environmental change that not only benefits our environment but also our lives. I love to garden and grow my own fruit and vegetables, currently my dad and I grow a bunch of dragon fruit at home!
Vivian Avila
Intern
Hey! My name is Vivian and I am a third-year Environmental Studies transfer student at UCSB. I decided to join YCT to become more involved in my community and to learn about urban forestry. This is my second quarter now with YCT and I'm excited to see all the trees we'll plant! I love learning about the environment and being outdoors! Some things I enjoy doing in my free time are reading, creating art, and spending time with friends. I also love to swim, hike, and explore tide pools!
Kylie Malone
Intern
Hi! My name is Kylie and I am a fourth-year Ecology and Evolution student. I'm interested in ecosystem restoration, endangered species conservation, and working with plants and animals. YCT allows me to explore my interests while making a visible impact on my community. I also enjoy looking for new music, playing games like Stardew Valley, making crafts/decorations, and learning how to cook/bake!
Mia Hirsch
Intern
Hi! I'm Mia, a third-year Psych and Brain Sciences major from Sacramento area. I love reading books, backpacking, roller skating, and sharing a wholesome time with my friends. I joined YCT because trees are my favorite beings on this earth. Being able to give life to new trees is the most beautiful thing I can think of doing. I'm looking forward to what this next year will bring!
Daniela Hirsch
Intern
Hi, I'm Dani and I'm a 3rd year Environmental Studies and Economics major. I love to read books, spend time at the beach, and run around with my friends. I joined YCT because I love trees and the natural world, and I hope to protect them as my life's purpose.
Leila Dagan
Science Night Coordinator
Hi! My name is Leila and I am a second year Environmental Studies B.S. student. I am new to YCT, and I am so excited to be a part of a community dedicated to giving back to the trees. I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains surrounded by the glorious redwoods. Staring up at these towering trees all my life has brought me so much peace, and has ultimately inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to protecting the environment. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a member of YCT this quarter.
Emily Lombardi
Social Media Coordinator
Hi! I’m Emily Lombardi and I’m a third year in Environmental Studies! While pursuing a B.S. means I get to take a lot of biology, physics and chem courses, this made me step back and realize that I felt fairly disconnected from the environmental studies community at UCSB. I wanted to join YCT as a way to become more active in the Environmental Studies community through meeting like-minded individuals and as an outlet from the STEM-heavy classes I’m taking!
Jacqueline Rainville
Harder Growing Grounds Coordinator
Hey! I’m Jacqueline, one of the Harder Growing Grounds Coordinators. I’m a 3rd year Environmental Studies and Geography double major. I love spending time outside, reading, and yoga. I’m excited to be working with YCT, helping grow trees!
Ken Knight
Technical Advisor
As Technical Advisor, I founded YCT at UCSB in 2014 to provide practical, tree-related science experiences to academic students at UCSB and local schools. YCT at UCSB is an opportunity for students to get their hands dirty, learn about how to work effectively with others, and hopefully pass along their knowledge to others. When I’m not volunteering as President of the nonprofit side of Your Children’s Trees (www.yourchildrenstrees.org), I work as a Registered Consulting Arborist (www.goletaarborists.com) providing expert advice on trees. In my 40 years living in Goleta, I’ve planted and cared for 5000+ public trees for future generations.
Lindamarie Herrera
Intern
Hello! I am a first-year Environmental Studies (B.S.) major here at UCSB, passionate about sustainability. I love working in a natural space where the community can come together to appreciate the knowledge and beauty it offers. In my spare time, I love reading poetry and soaking up the sun. I look forward to making a positive impact through YCT.
Aiden Maestas
Intern
Hi! My name is Aiden Maestas, and I am a first year Environmental Studies Major here at UCSB. This is my first year with YCT and I'm excited to start. I like listening to classic rock, watching horror movies, and playing guitar in my free time.
Sam Woods
Intern
Hi! My name is Sam Woods (she/her) and I am currently a 2nd year Environmental Studies B.S. student! The environment has played a big role in my life, as my parents have always cared deeply for nature and creatures of all kinds. I joined YTC to become more involved in my community and to uphold the environmental consciousness that my family has instilled in me.
Jacob Austin
Intern
I’m Jacob Austin, a third-year Sociology major with a minor in Applied Psychology. Spending time in nature, especially among trees, has always been a source of peace and inspiration for me. I hope to bring that same sense of calm and connection into my future work as a mental health therapist, helping others find balance and clarity in their lives. My favorite place to reflect is beneath a canopy of trees, where everything feels a little simpler!
Anya Yu-Swanson
Intern
I'm a second year environmental studies and geography major originally from San Diego. I have been working with YCT for over a year now. I'm interested in conservation and restoration and enjoy participating in community events and service projects. In my free time I like to run, do art, and garden!