Restore the Delta has a new team of university students who are working on climate/water issues for the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. Funded by the Irvine Foundation and Mosaic Momentum, these leaders from the Delta region who are studying environmental science, forestry, geography, environmental studies, and geology, have already been to the State Water Resources Control Board to make the case for the State Water Board to implement and continue with their Bay-Delta Plan to restore water flows for the Delta and for further protection for the estuary from harmful algal blooms.
Vanessa (Vané) grew up in Oxnard, California. She received her B.S in Environmental Science with minors in Spanish and Computer Information Systems from California Lutheran University. She has experience working with non-profit organizations that focuses on environmental and social injustices as well as farm-worker rights in Ventura County. She has worked as an intern for the County of Ventura within the Sustainability Division as a Public Service Intern and was an intern for the U.S Department of Energy as an Energy Justice Intern. Some of her career goals is to work in the public sector either for the federal or local government. One of her professional goals is to publish a peer-reviewed article and creating a non-profit that would help high schools in low-income communities excel in STEM subjects. She currently works for RTD as the Carbon/Energy Research Intern where she partakes in carbon removal research. Currently, she is writing a white paper on direct air capture with a socioeconomic analysis within the Central Valley/SJ Delta.
Katherine Parrilla is an aspiring historian and ethnic studies advocate. She is a Stockton native and a student at Cal Poly Humboldt. Katherine will be working with the Smithsonian Institute to help bring the story of the Filipino community to a national stage. In addition, Katherine is a climate water intern for Restore the Delta and is passionate about environmental justice and the Bay-Delta region.
Taylor Huerta is a Bay-area born and Stockton raised environmental activist with a passion for preserving California’s natural spaces. She is a first-generation college student, pursuing degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies at California State University, East Bay. In her free time, she likes to go hiking and bake plant-based goodies for her friends and family. Taylor is excited to be a part of RTD because she understands the importance of the SF Bay-Delta to the health and biodiversity of California. Working with Restore the Delta also allows her to connect with communities all around Stockton. Taylor believes that participation and cooperation is the key to fighting environmental injustices within our community, and to maintaining a cleaner and safer environment for all to enjoy.
Living close to Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River, Lauren was inspired to pursue a career in environmental science due to her frequent visits and participation in the California Coastal Clean-up events held in that area. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor strolls by water bodies, indulges in a variety of teas, and cherishes quality time with her dog.
Deborah I Castillo is a Climate Water Advocate at Restore the Delta. She was raised in Stockton, California and enjoys learning about the history of the Bay-Delta. She is currently attending San Joaquin Delta College majoring in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering. Her interests include community outreach, harmful algal blooms, and green infrastructure. Her biggest goal is to improve accessibility to resources for the Bay-Delta communities and ensure that the public has more access to their water ways.
Madelyn, or Madie, Dreyer, a Bay Area native and Modesto-raised undergraduate student at Modesto Junior College, is deeply passionate about the conservation of Earth’s biodiversity. Currently, she is majoring in Biological Sciences, with the aspiration of becoming a wildlife biologist. Madie intends to transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno, where she will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution. Her area of interest centers on the conservation of Chinook Salmon, recognized for their role as a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest. Madie grew up fishing and boating alongside her father in the Delta and various lakes in California. In her free time, Madie enjoys hiking and painting.
Tristan Ordaz was born and raised in Stockton, California. Along with being a Climate Water Advocate he is also a part of the Estuary Youth Council. In his free time Tristan enjoys walking his two dogs along with taking notes of the environment. He is currently attending San Joaquin Delta College and has been accepted to Sacramento State University where he will pursue his Biological Science degree. His studies are centered on physician assistant and mastering in parasitology with great interest in virology and microbiology. He understands the importance of the environment’s health for the community and wildlife. Communication, participation, and education is key to creating a healthier environment and a safer future for communities and wildlife.