Empress is an environmental geographer who has worked at TRNERR since 2021. She started as an education specialist with California State Parks and now works as a coastal training program associate and research assistant for SWIA. She attended San Diego State University where she earned a B.A. and M.A. in Geography. Her work is a rich blend of focuses, with key aspects being providing training and technical assistance for coastal decision makers and community members in the U.S. and Mexico, environmental justice, estuarine ecology, cultural heritage, habitat monitoring, cultural ecosystem services, environmental education, community science, and fostering cross-programatic relationships within the Reserve. As a San Diego native, Empress enjoys spending her time outdoors hiking and exploring the local food scene.
