Emma (she/her) has joined Conservation Works as a 24/25 Climate Action Fellow.  While at Conservation Works, she will be focusing on pollinator protection and restoring ecological resiliency in areas affected by climate change. This includes taking lead on projects like planting native pollinator habitats, supporting the endangered Behren Silverspotted Butterfly, and engaging the community to become passionate about the environment. As a child, her love for the outdoors and nature started quickly. This interest continued to grow and her love of science inspired her to complete a Bachelors of Arts in Biology at Sonoma State University. She continued to expand her knowledge, completing a Naturalist internship at Fairfield Osborn Preserve, participating in research on an endangered species, and becoming a TA for the Entomology lab. It was at Sonoma State that she found a true love for entomology and hopes to use it in the climate action effort.

Motivated by a strong commitment to protecting ecosystems and local communities from the impacts of climate change, Thomas ‘TJ’ (he/him) is excited to join us this year as a California Climate Action Corps fellow. He brings a solid background in public health, having studied global health at the University of Washington, where he focused on population-level impacts of climate change. TJ holds a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley, where he will bring his skills in data science, technical writing, and geographic information systems (GIS). His research on river water quality and management has provided him with valuable insights into the intersection of environmental science and community resilience. In his role at Conservation Works, TJ will collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders dedicated to protecting the Russian River watershed, ensuring that both ecological integrity and community well-being are prioritized in the face of climate challenges. In his free time he likes to play beach volleyball, go trail running, explore new coffee shops, and daydream about his next backpacking trip.

Lily (she/her) was born and raised in Northern California and is a Sonoma State graduate with degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Studies & Planning. Growing up in a small town along the Sacramento Delta, she quickly learned to appreciate the unparalleled value of tight knit communities. With years of skill-building in environmental efforts and a passion for stewarding our earth with intention and care, she is powered by the strong desire to foster deeper connections between people and their environment. Lily has been thoughtfully engaged in local environmental issues in Sonoma County for the past 4 years, conducting research with several partners to tackle issues of water quality and homelessness, sustainability in the business realm, and environmental justice for the under-recognized. Her participation in community garden stewardship and restoration efforts has equipped her with the tools to improve climate resilience for our land and our people. Lily is thrilled to be a part of the team at Conservation Works and is eager to give back to her local and statewide community through this incredible fellowship opportunity.