My passion and vision for discovery have led me to one of the most practical yet misunderstood frontiers of environmental research: fostering coexistence in anthropogenic landscapes. Through Fort Lewis College (FLC), I earned a bachelor's in Environmental Studies, a minor in Peace & Conflict Studies, and a certificate in Regenerative Food Systems. This integration of varying fields of study allowed me to tackle research-based academia uniquely, specifically through an emphasis on cultivating a comprehensive and transdisciplinary understanding of the socio-political factors. My certification in Mediation and Conflict Analysis through the United States Institute of Peace has equipped me to navigate stakeholder conflicts in environmental management, specifically in the form of relationships between local agriculturalists and publically undervalued fauna. In addition, an internship at Wolfwood, a wolf sanctuary, enriched my understanding of human-wildlife conflict. At the same time, collaboration with local farms, such as The Old Fort Farm, expanded my capacity for exploration into theoretical approaches in human services. In my role as the Ecological Campus Restoration Project Lead at the FLC Environmental Center, I secured a $2,500 Sustainability Initiative Grant, which funded native flora transplantation and educational outreach. The use of practical and field skills, such as pollinator and water-use analysis studies, stakeholder engagement, and GIS mapping, was highly expanded due to the dedication of my research and long-standing leadership role within the program. During my undergraduate studies, I researched the hydrogeomorphological impacts of beaver activity in the Animas River watershed, examining the capacity of beaver ponds in the filtration of Acid Mine Drainage and improving riverscape connectivity. Inspired by Dr. Joanna Lambert's pioneering work on wolf reintroduction, coexistence, and the ecology of fear, I realized the transformative potential of coexistence research. This provided the conceptual framework for my undergraduate honors thesis, "The Ecological Importance of Castor canadensis: Changing the Legal Narrative of Beavers in Colorado." Culminated in a multi-year study, I examined the ecological, legal, and social dimensions of beaver management. Results suggested the advocacy of policy reforms and public education to promote coexistence and conceptually highlighted the immense value of beavers as ecosystem engineers. In 2022, I was one of the youngest speakers at the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Botanical Congress, where I presented my former beaver research. My connection with beavers strengthened when I joined Give a Dam, a nonprofit focused on non-lethal management. As a Water Restoration and Beaver Educator Intern, I conducted research and developed educational initiatives. This continues to strongly enhance my skills in stakeholder engagement and conservation advocacy. In order to provide a more holistic understanding of my love for the earth and personalized tenacity, it is beneficial to take a slight step back. As a first-generation student, I was awarded the Smyser Scholarship and had the opportunity to participate in a year-long coral restoration project with the Coral Restoration Foundation. At thirteen years old, I became certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver and volunteered in the Florida Keys, outplanting over 100 coral polyps. Two years later, I was one out of three students invited back to the foundation to serve in a leadership role, helping guide fellow volunteers in coral restoration. This formative experience reinforced my commitment to the natural world.