The 2026 Salton Sea Leadership Program Is Underway!

Between January and March, these passionate conservationists discover the Salton Sea and the encircling desert by immersive classroom displays, hands-on subject journeys, and deal with native ecological challenges by capstone initiatives. Get to know this yr’s group of Salton Sea Leaders under.

Tara is an undergraduate scholar pursuing her BS in Environmental Science. She hopes to contribute to habitat conservation and restoration within the Coachella Valley after graduating. When she just isn’t engaged on her diploma, Tara likes to spend her time mountain climbing, off-roading, being a mother, studying, enjoying with the chemistry of clay and glazes, and sculpting. Tara’s favourite birds are vultures as a result of they play an essential position in balancing our ecosystems by eradicating carrion, controlling the unfold of illness, and biking vitamins again into the soil. Tara’s favourite place in nature is the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness Space. She likes to drive her Jeep out to a distant spot and quietly watch all of the animals emerge from the otherworldly panorama whereas she observes the geology of the realm.

Sierra Alvarez is a born-and-raised Coachella Valley neighborhood member who aspires to precise and embody love by advocacy for social causes. Her hobbies embrace dancing, exploring the outside, taking courses to study new abilities, understanding, and crafting. Her favourite chook is a Mandarin Patkin, and her favourite place in nature thus far is the Tahquitz Canyon Path.

Alejandra Escobar was born and raised within the Coachella Valley and is captivated with conservation and galvanizing others to understand nature. Alejandra’s favourite chook is the Black Phoebe, and her favourite place in nature is shaded beneath bushes or subsequent to a river.

Larissa Olenicoff Sinclair is a journey author and digital storyteller with a background in vacation spot advertising and marketing and tourism improvement. Having traveled to greater than 75 international locations and lived within the UK, Sweden, Ukraine, and Kosovo, she brings a worldwide perspective to her native work. Now primarily based in North Shore close to the Salton Sea, her hobbies embrace adventures to wherever and all over the place, searching for novelties, asking plenty of questions, and karaoke. One in all her favourite locations in nature is the shores of the Salton Sea at sundown, and he or she is a large fan of owls.

Bernardo Lino is from North Shore and enjoys tenting, adventurous hikes, and touring. His favourite chook is the hummingbird, and his favourite place in nature is Yosemite.

Edeli Reyes grew up in Mecca, an unincorporated space positioned simply north of the Salton Sea, and earned a level in Environmental Research from UC Santa Cruz. Edeli seems to be ahead to constructing a stronger relationship with the local people and atmosphere. Edeli’s favourite chook is the Loggerhead Shrike, and their favourite place in nature is Carrizo Canyon.

Gisselle Lockley loves taking good care of her pets, hanging out with pals, and studying about biology. Her favourite chook is a hummingbird as a result of it has at all times been a part of her life and tradition, and her favourite place in nature is the UC Berkeley camp she attended within the Nationwide Pluma Forest. Giselle’s favourite birds are hummingbirds, and her favourite place in nature is the Nationwide Pluma Forest.

Kevin Manajero enjoys mountain climbing, listening to music, and enjoying video video games in his free time. His favourite chook is the Nice Blue Heron, and his favourite place in nature is Yosemite Nationwide Park.

Larissa Olenicoff Sinclair is a journey author and digital storyteller with a background in vacation spot advertising and marketing and tourism improvement. Having traveled to greater than 75 international locations and lived within the UK, Sweden, Ukraine, and Kosovo, she brings a worldwide perspective to her native work.

Monse Zamora is a current CSUSB graduate in Communications and is engaged on private and profession development after faculty. Monse’s favourite chook is the Atlantic Puffin, and her favourite place in nature is the seaside.

Carlos Garcia enjoys mountain climbing, working, and thrifting. His favourite birds are the Pink-tailed Hawk and Western Burrowing Owl, and his favourite place in nature is Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

Drawn to the Salton Sea and the Coachella Valley’s various ecology? In case you’re within the space, remember to comply with alongside on Instagram for highlights from the 2026 Salton Sea Management Program cohort’s journey, and stay tuned for future occasions, alternatives to affix a future cohort, and different methods to get entangled.