24 May INtroduction: Antonio Ruvalcaba

¡Hola a todos! My name is Antonio Ruvalcaba, and I am super excited to be apart of such a great organization. I am proud to be a first-generation Mexican American, in STEM. Growing up, I never saw myself going to university and obtaining a degree, as no one in my family had ever accomplished such a feat. College was something I had to navigate on my own, but I never let that stop me. I graduated from Humboldt State University in fall 2020, with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management. I hope to one day be able to help aid in breaking down barriers I once faced and be a mentor for others in similar situations, by striving to diversify such fields. Most of my childhood was spent in the Central Valley where my passion for the environment grew. Coming to Humboldt State University showed me that coexisting with the landscape is possible in a sustainable and accessible way. I have always had a passion for animals and saw an opportunity to combine my passion for protecting the environment, which is key to the survival of wildlife.

I will be heading out to Dinosaur National Monument as a Science Communication and Resource Monitoring Intern. I am super excited to work alongside the community and visitors in the area. I will study Monarch Butterflies throughout the park, as in recent years we have seen a drastic drop in the population. The decrease in the population of Monarch Butterflies is concerning, becaue they are a vital part of the ecosystem, no matter how small they may seem. I hope to raise awareness and educate on ecosystem services such organisms provide for our environment.