Meet the Spring 2024 Team

Hi! I am Haley Weinstein, a fourth-year Environmental Studies student and the President of Your Children’s Trees at UCSB. I love Your Children’s Trees because we bring a community of like-minded environmentalists together. With the pressures of being in college, rushing from class to class each day and worrying about the next big midterm and final, taking a few hours on Saturday mornings to regroup with the community and plant trees is so beautiful, rewarding, and refreshing for my spirit. Being a member of Your Children’s Trees has given me a community and a purpose during my time at UCSB, and I am grateful to contribute to an effort that is larger than myself.

Hi! I am Haley Weinstein, a fourth-year Environmental Studies student and the President of Your Children’s Trees at UCSB. I love Your Children’s Trees because we bring a community of like-minded environmentalists together. With the pressures of being in college, rushing from class to class each day and worrying about the next big midterm and final, taking a few hours on Saturday mornings to regroup with the community and plant trees is so beautiful, rewarding, and refreshing for my spirit. Being a member of Your Children’s Trees has given me a community and a purpose during my time at UCSB, and I am grateful to contribute to an effort that is larger than myself.

I walked close to 2000 miles in 2022. Some of these miles are composed of walking to YCT events and back home. But most of the miles are composed of me walking because I like being outside, particularly when I am feeling mentally unwell. I mention this because I like walking under trees the most. Yes the ocean is lovely, and fields can be nice too; but, walking under a canopy of trees just feels fresh. The member bio didn't have to be about trees, but I felt the need to convey the feeling of walking through a forest and feeling so much clearer. Walking while holding my hands in the air with the singular thought, "it is going to be okay."

My name is Shania and I'm YCT's Education Coordinator for Tree Walks. I'm a fourth year Environmental Studies major at UCSB, and I just began working with YCT this past year. I'm passionate about environmental education and dedicated to the health of our planet. I recognize that this is a shared responsibility, and love working with YCT because all members are equally committed to making a positive impact within our community. In my spare time I love spending time outside, writing, and creating art of various forms. I'm excited for all we have planned this upcoming year!

Hello! I'm a 4th year ecology and evolution major with a minor in education. I joined YCT during my sophomore year and immediately fell in love with science nights and the engagement and joy that it brings to young students. In addition to YCT, I work in a marine biology lab and teach swim lessons. In my free time I like to trail run, dive, line dance, and play with my hamster, Tater Tot.

Hello! I'm Anya and I'm a first year majoring in Environmental Studies. I love gardening and composting and getting other people excited about nature! I'm interested in environmental education and bringing green spaces to urban areas because it can benefit people and the environment in a big way. I'm excited to learn more about tree species and care and become more involved in the Santa Barbara community!

Hello!

I'm a second-year environmental studies major. I've been a member of Your Children's Trees since my freshman year. One of my favorite things about YCT is working with members of the community to plant trees on school campuses and public spaces. I love being outdoors and meeting like-minded people interested in making changes for the environment's wellbeing. I truly believe we must care for the environment as that is who takes care of us.

Hi everyone! My name is Ruby, and I am a third year Environmental Studies major at UCSB. I have been a member of YCT since my sophomore year summer. Other than YCT, I spend most of my time surfing, playing volleyball, and drawing. After I graduate, I am interested in pursuing a career in environmental/outdoor education. I am stoked to continue working with YCT this year!

Hi! My name is Claire and I am YCT’s Tree Care Coordinator! I have been a member of YCT for over two years now. I am a fourth year Environmental Studies major at UCSB. After I graduate, I hope to work in the field of conservation ecology. My favorite part about working with YCT is our tree planting events. I love being able to help our volunteers plant their very first tree, it’s always exciting! I love trees of all kinds but my favorite would have to be the jacaranda for its beautiful purple flowers.

Hello! I’m Hanyang Zheng, a second-year Environmental Studies and Sociology major student from Jinan, China. Ever since high school, I’ve shown a strong passion for nature and wanted to dedicate myself to ecological restoration and environmental law in the future. YCT’s events can be complex but gorgeous, no matter when working with kids during the science night or planting trees in the field. Those all bring me immersive contact with nature and those fellows who are enthusiastic about nature. I cherish the time with YCT and I’m willing to make a better future for our shared community.

My name is Maddy, and I am a third-year student at UCSB. I am pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Studies, and have been a member of YCT since my freshman year! I love working with YCT because it brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to learn the importance of protecting the environment we live in. After pursuing my Bachelor’s degree, I plan on attending law school to eventually practice environmental law. I am so excited to continue my work with YCT this quarter, and look forward to making a positive impact on our community!

Hey! I am a fourth year Ecology and Evolution major at UCSB. I thrive at Your Children's Trees as we have a strong group of students who find joy in the outdoors and gratitude from working with community members to beautify our land and increase native plant abundance. In my free time, you'll find me kayaking, baking, painting, or playing volleyball; anything to keep me active and my creativity flowing. I hope to return to Santa Barbara in 5, 10, 15 years and see the growth of the trees I planted by hand for which the next generation of children get to escape from the summer heat or discover what an acorn looks like.

Hi there! My name is Sarah Toyne, and I am a second-year student at UCSB. I am studying Environmental Studies, with a minor in Earth Science. I love working with and interacting with nature, so YCT has been a great fit for me! This is my second quarter of YCT and I love how its members all work hard to protect nature. Currently I plan to go to law school and become an environmental lawyer. I am so excited to continue working with YCT!!

My name is Annika Harding and I am a second-year environmental studies student at UCSB. I am from Seattle, Washington, and in my free time, I like to spend time outside with friends and my family. This is my first year interning with YCT and I am excited to learn from my peers and educate the community about the environment we live in.

Hello, my name is Steven Le and I am a first-year environmental studies (B.S.) major.  I was an intern for YCT the previous quarter (Winter 2024) and I enjoyed it so much that I have decided to return once again!  Being the first ever internship that I had ever joined, it was a great experience meeting a new array of people with similar career interests as me and I hope to continue to develop more skills/connections this quarter!

My name is Sophie, a 2023 UCSB alumna. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies last June. I was an intern for YCT in the quarter of Winter 2022 to gain course credit under Envs 192, but I enjoyed making a positive hands-on difference so much that I rejoined YCT post-graduation as a facilitator for the Green Schoolyards of America project. The logistics of local urban planning is deeply intriguing to me, and I intend to pursue a career in sustainable infrastructure. Hopefully my gap year will be spent accumulating further experience and networking before entering grad school.

Hi! I'm a 3rd year environmental studies major and YCT has been the perfect opportunity to benefit our community and work outside in nature! My favorite tree is Platanus racemosa, the Western Sycamore!

I’m a third year environmental studies major. I’ve interned at YCT for two quarters and have enjoyed all of the experiences it's given me. Some things about me are that I like to run, journal and read. I’m currently reading the second book in the Poppy Wars series. My hometown is Sacrmaneto, California and I always look forward to going home.

Hello! My name is Henderson Vo and I am a first-year Environmental Studies student at UCSB. I joined YCT firstly because I love to be around trees, but also because I feel passionate about environmental restoration, especially within the context of our built environment. Sustainable urban design is something that I am particularly interested in, so I'm very excited to be exploring that through the work being done here at YCT!

I am a fourth-year Environmental Studies student, interested in environmental conservation and agroecology. I enjoy playing music, reading, and discovering new sugary drinks.

Hi! My name is Amit Goldberg and I am a 3rd year Transfer student at UCSB pursuing my B.S. degree in Environmental Studies. I love hiking, biking, playing volleyball, and really anything that gets me outside and active. This is my first quarter with Your Children's Trees and I can't wait to get involved with the community and work on a number of restoration and planting projects!

Hello! My name is Zoe Perna, and I am a fourth year environmental studies student. I am from Ellicott City, Maryland and grew up visiting family in the Santa Barbara area, and now feel very lucky to be a student at beautiful UCSB. This will be my first quarter with YCT, and I am excited to get involved with this very cool organization and utilize my passion for environmental education and fostering nature connections. In my free time, I like to wander around the lagoon and spend time at the many beaches nearby. My time at UCSB has taught me so much and I can't wait to see what I learn during my last quarter here!

Hi! I'm Eliana Shandalov, a second year environmental studies major at UCSB. I'm excited to work with YCT because I believe that environmental education for all ages is extremely beneficial. I find peace in nature, and hope I can help others do the same. I enjoy connecting my classroom knowledge to my experience outdoors.The concept of observing even the small aspects of nature in day to day life as opposed to passively existing in it is very important to me. I love to spend time outside, travel, cook, and hang out with friends.

Hi! My name is Sophie Serruya and I’m a sophomore studying Environmental Science at UCSB. My love of the outdoors is always growing, and I’m excited to spread gratitude and appreciation for the natural world. I love backpacking, working with kids, yoga, and dunking in the ocean. I hope spreading love for the environment inspires more children to want to protect it and feel connected to it. I hope to eventually complete my degree and pursue some form of science communication in the media. I am so excited to work with YCT this year.

My name is Sophie Pardehpoosh and I'm a second-year environmental studies major. I love spending time outside, especially hiking at the beach. I am passionate about environmental justice, as well as environmental education. I'm looking forward to working with YCT because I believe educating young folks is one of the most effective ways to work toward a more sustainable future.

Hello my name is Shannon! I’m a third year Environmental Studies major at UCSB. I'm excited to start my first quarter with YCT. I love the concept of giving back to future generations and working with youth to help everyone better connect with the more-than-human world! I'm also happy to be tending to the same Earth that gives so much to us. After graduation I hope to work in outdoor education and or city planning to help make our cities more sustainable, equitable, and happy. In my free time I like to dance, read, hike, and jump in the ocean!

Hello! My name is Mia and I'm a first year at UCSB. I am currently pursuing an Environmental Studies B.A. with a minor in Anthropology. I love to create art, listen to music, and be outdoors...or do all three at the same time! I am passionate about the future of our Earth and all the efforts being made to enact change. I think that one of the most important things to do is to bridge the disconnect between us and nature, especially within the youth.

My name is Aidaly Xicotencatl and I’m a fourth year environmental studies major! Some interests of mine include baking, going to the beach, and finding new hiking spots. I’m also very passionate about climate justice, education, and oceanography. I can’t wait to expand my learning journey and create valuable experiences with Your Children’s Trees!!

Hello! My name is Jessi Rumkin (she/her). I'm a junior transfer at UCSB pursuing an environmental studies (B.S.) degree. After I graduate, I hope to be doing fieldwork for environmental conservation and restoration, focusing on locally native ecosystems and local knowledge. I believe that education and outreach are the foundation for making the changes we want to see, which is why I am excited to be supporting YCT! In my spare time I enjoy relaxed hiking, reading, and snowboarding when I can.

Hi! I’m Emily Lombardi and I’m a second year in Environmental Studies! While pursuing a B.S. means I get to take a lot of biology, physics and chem courses, this made me step back and realize that I felt fairly disconnected from the environmental studies community at UCSB. I wanted to join YCT as a way to become more active in the Environmental Studies community through meeting like-minded individuals and as an outlet from the STEM-heavy classes I’m taking!

Hey! My name is Alona Saffen and I am a second-year student at UCSB. I am planning on double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics. I am super excited to join Youth Children’s Trees! Through hands-on restoration efforts and educational initiatives, I hope to contribute meaningfully to our community and shared goal of helping the environment. I look forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and making a positive impact! Yay trees!

My name is Brennan Ffrench and I'm a fourth year Geography/GIS student. Essentially, I study maps and how using data can influence the ways and decisions the outside world is built and shaped. Some hobbies include playing tennis and watching movies. I also love being outdoors and interacting with the areas where urban development meets uninterrupted nature. My favorite tree at the moment is the California Sycamore, or the Platanus Racemosa.

Hi! My name is Leila and I am a second year Environmental Studies B.S. student. I am new to YCT, and I am so excited to be a part of a community dedicated to giving back to the trees. I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains surrounded by the glorious redwoods. Staring up at these towering trees all my life has brought me so much peace, and has ultimately inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to protecting the environment. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a member of YCT this quarter.

Hello!

As Technical Advisor, I founded YCT at UCSB in 2014 to provide practical, tree-related science experiences to academic students at UCSB and local schools. YCT at UCSB is an opportunity for students to get their hands dirty, learn about how to work effectively with others, and hopefully pass along their knowledge to others.  When I’m not volunteering as President of the nonprofit side of Your Children’s Trees (www.yourchildrenstrees.org), I work as a Registered Consulting Arborist (www.goletaarborists.com) providing expert advice on trees.  In my 40 years living in Goleta, I’ve planted and cared for 5000+ public trees for future generations.