I moved to the San Lorenzo Valley in 1993 after growing up in the Tahoe area and graduating from Whitman College in Washington State. I’ve seen the Valley undergo many changes since then, including the CZU Fire of 2020. But more than any other place I’ve lived, the San Lorenzo Valley has a remarkably resilient core. People who live here really do love it and work hard to protect this uniquely beautiful place. In 2018 I began working on environmental issues, joined the Sierra Club in 2020, and am currently a member of other local environmental groups like The Climate Alliance and the Campaign for Sustainable Transportation. I joined the VWC Environmental Committee in 2019, focusing on forestry and utility issues. The VWC has given me the opportunity to expand my skills in document research, effective writing and communication, tabling at public events, and interacting with our local and state representatives to advocate for environmental protection. It’s also given me a chance to be part of the larger Valley community in ways that I find valuable. I’ve met some of the most amazing people through this group! I see the VWC’s long history of community activism and service in the San Lorenzo Valley, and I’m so happy to be part of it.