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I was born at Lions Gate Hospital in the traditional unceded and occupied territories of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), commonly known as North Vancouver, British Columbia. I have lived in this city my entire life and growing up here has been great for building up my character as a person. For me, there was no rush to leave the North Shore to attend school elsewhere, so choosing Capilano University was an easy decision. It is close to home and offers the same academic experience as larger institutions, but its smaller size makes it much easier to connect with my peers and professors. In the spring of 2025, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree. This is just the beginning of my academic journey, as I plan to continue my studies and pursue a master’s degree in conservation, with hopes of one day becoming a conservation biologist and ecological restoration practitioner. Growing up in North Vancouver, I was surrounded by beautiful green forests and my family always made sure that I had opportunities to hike through the wonderful trails here. I have always had a passion for nature photography, and growing up in this environment has deepened my desire to explore, photograph, and protect beautiful places. Although I did not always know what I wanted to be when I grew up, it’s no surprise that I chose the field of biology, given the environment that shaped me. I feel extremely grateful that the place I call home is filled with such amazing landscapes, and because of this, I hope that in my future career, I can help conserve other special areas that hold value for others. Recently, I have felt increasingly connected to the land, realizing that everything around me is alive and has a spirit. I believe I must be a steward of the land and protect nature from the issues created by the modern world. Throughout my journey at Capilano University, I have committed to work on several volunteer jobs in this land stewardship realm. It is very important to me that I work on and with the land because it is the oldest teacher, and I believe I must help protect it in whatever ways I can.