About YCT at UCSB
Your Children's Trees is a student community-based non-profit organization founded in coordination with the UCSB organization of the same name for the care of Santa Barbara County's urban forests. Planting trees in our cities helps bring back nature and provides many other benefits such as urban beautification, increasing property values, cleaning the air, and controlling water runoff. Your Children's Trees works to keep our urban forests healthy by planting and caring for trees in public areas such as schools and parks. We also undertake various educational pursuits such as participating in science nights at local elementary schools and conducting environmental restoration plantings in ecological reserves. It's important that we take care of the trees around us. These are not just our trees, but your children's trees.
Meet the Winter 2026 Team!
Mia Ryang
President
Hello! My name is Mia and I'm a third 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.
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Sam Woods
Tree Care Coordinator
Hi! My name is Sam Woods (she/her) and I am currently a 2nd year Environmental Studies B.S. student! The environment has played a big role in my life, as my parents have always cared deeply for nature and creatures of all kinds. I joined YTC to become more involved in my community and to uphold the environmental consciousness that my family has instilled in me.
Lauren Tirona
Treasurer/Grants Coordinator
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Ana Jones
Science Night Coordinator
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Laura Ramirez
Hi! I'm Laura, and I am a 2nd-year Environmental Studies BS major at UCSB. When I have free time, I love hiking, baking, and reading. Nature has always been important to me, and through YCT I get the chance to be hands-on and give back by planting for future generations. I’m excited to meet people who share the same passion and connect more with the environment in Santa Barbara.
Sarina Rabiee
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Yesenia Munoz
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Jenny Jaimes
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Cameron Curtin
Vice President
Hi! I'm Cammie, and I'm a third year at UCSB double-majoring in History of Public Policy and Law and Sociology. In my free time, I love to do yoga, read books, hike, and attempt to play guitar. I joined YCT because I am passionate about preserving our environment and believe real change comes from grassroots movements like YCT!
Aiden Maestas
Harder GG Coordinator
My name is Aiden Maestas, and I'm a second-year environmental studies major. I joined YCT last year to learn more about restoration practices and urban forestry, and quickly fell in love with tree care. In my free time, I like to tidepool, watch horror movies, and play cello for the Middle East Ensemble.
Batu Alacam
Volunteer Coordinator
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Kathryn Chan
Hi! I’m Kathryn Chan, a second-year biology major. I’m interested in food science, sustainability, and environmental conservation. In my free time, I enjoy writing short stories, playing games, and spending time with loved ones. I joined YCT because I believe taking a step in the right direction starts in your local community. After every tree planting session, I love stepping back to admire our work; it’s very rewarding!
Emma Ragsdale
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Quinn Hennessy
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Isabella Rocha
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Ken Knight
Technical Advisor
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.
Jacqueline Rainville
Secretary
Hi! I'm Jacqueline, an Environmental Studies and Geography double major. I love doing yoga, reading, and spending time outside, especially with friends or family. I joined YCT to give back to my community through planting trees and what I enjoy most about YCT is the green-minded community it fosters.
Youssef Lawandy
Social Media Coordinator
Hi! My name is Youssef, and I’m a fourth-year double major in Environmental Studies and Geography at UCSB. I love spending time outdoors whether it’s surfing, camping, or cooking and I also enjoy pressing and framing flowers and plants I find on my adventures. I joined YCT to explore what working outdoors is like and to help share that experience with others through social media!
Summer Smith
Tree Walk Coordinator
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Danielle Sur
Hello! My name is Danielle. I am a third-year Environmental Studies B.S. major at UCSB and a plant enthusiast who aspires to learn by doing, tell stories using various art media, and make meaningful connections through community engagement. I am inspired by people who act to protect and restore the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet whilst encouraging others to be the change they wish to see in their respective spheres. It is my wish to help facilitate that change, be it via constructive dialogue, drawings, or the planting of a tree.
Katherine Grimm
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Paulina Guijosa
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Eva Lawson
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