Dive into a moment of celebration, reflection, and inspiration as we honor the graduates of the first-ever Coastal Leadership Program (CLP)! Over the past six months, this incredible cohort of 10 individuals has journeyed through a transformative program, exploring coastal conservation through the lenses of science, community, and policy. Together, they’ve built friendships, developed leadership skills, and worked on capstone projects that reflect their passion for protecting coastal communities, ecosystems, and birds.

As Audubon California’s Senior Coastal Program Manager Liliana Griego shared during her opening remarks:

"This cohort is made up of 10 diverse individuals from various backgrounds, neighborhoods, and professions who came together to learn, grow, and create impact. From their first bird walk at Ballona Wetlands to leading capstone projects that engaged their communities, this group has exceeded all expectations. The relationships you’ve built and the enthusiasm you’ve shared are a true testament to the power of collective effort in conservation."

The event, hosted at the beautiful Audubon Center at Debs Park, brought together friends, family, and supporters to celebrate the graduates’ achievements. A highlight of the day was a mindfulness exercise led by guest speaker Tammah Watts, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a best-selling author for her book Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching, mindful outdoor guide, Audubon CA advisory board member, southern CA Audubon Chapter Council Representative and San Diego Bird Alliance board member, and Instagram influencer, who emphasized the deep connections between nature, community, and personal growth. Her inspiring words reminded us of the importance of creating inclusive spaces within conservation.

Below, you’ll find the capstone projects of these remarkable graduates, showcasing their creativity and commitment to coastal stewardship. Each project reflects their unique perspectives and talents, from community birding events to artistic initiatives that inspire advocacy. 

2024 Capstone Project Highlights & Reflections from Participants​ (Don't forget to click the links to dive deeper into their incredible work!)

Coastal Connections: Shorebirding, Stories, and More - a Zine by Valeree Catangay
“The project goal was to create a zine about my relationship with birding and coastal conservation, community resources, and coastal career profiles. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of coastal conservation and share a relatable perspective as a birder and aspiring conservationist.”

Coastal Bird Art Contest by Rujin Yu
“This project involved organizing an art contest focused on raising awareness about coastal bird species and their conservation. The contest opened to college students across four UC campuses, encouraging them to create artwork that highlights the beauty and importance of coastal birds. By collaborating with Audubon chapters, campus groups, and other conservation organizations, the project sought to combine education and creativity, promoting a deeper understanding of the challenges these species face. This initiative not only celebrated artistic expression but also created a ripple effect, spreading knowledge about the need to protect coastal bird habitats and inspiring others to support conservation efforts.”

The Wonder of Ballona by Gicela Galvez
“I partnered with Emily from Nature Nexus Institute to teach between 20-30 individuals about the Ballona Wetlands. My goal was to highlight the importance of coastal access, especially for people living in the urban city. I focused on the interconnections between Ballona Wetlands and its existing bird diversity. This project was created as an introduction into how coastal ecosystems must be protected and hopefully sparked curiosity in my participants to learn more on their own.”

"I came into the Coastal Leadership Program this June as a new birder with no educational background in conservation or natural sciences, but I knew I cared deeply about coastal ecosystems and birds and wanted to take action. With our guest speaker Jazmín Rios from the Bay Foundation, we conducted a plant transect of the sand dune habitat they are restoring — an experience I'll always carry with me as I build my career in conservation. Most importantly, with Liliana’s, Sophie’s, and my cohort’s guidance, I stepped into my leadership capabilities and created a capstone project transforming my artistic knowledge into bird drawing and wetlands nature journaling events to inspire others to advocate for coastal wildlife." – Jennifer Wang

"The Coastal Leadership program provided me with the opportunity to learn more about birding while also learning more about conservation. I went from knowing things in very broad strokes to knowing specifics about ongoing conservation projects. I am now able to bird out in nature with more confidence, use the Merlin app, and teach others about birds." – Nathan Carbajal

"I wanted to be able to support Tongva folks as I am a guest on the land and to talk about the importance of building relations with stewards, particularly in conservation and restoration Although Humaliwo (Malibu Lagoon) is a shared village with Ventureño Chumash folks, I wanted to be able to find a location that had a large bird biodiverse population and was still in proximity to Tongva territory." – Bii Gallardo, Birds Are Our Relatives

Alexander deBarros' project combined a Zoom session and a hands-on field trip to help participants learn the art of identifying the 12 types of gulls commonly found in Southern California. Through detailed insights into gull anatomy, aging, and distinguishing features, participants gained practical tools to sharpen their birding skills. The field trip brought the learning to life, giving everyone a chance to apply their knowledge in real-world birding environments.

"It has been really impactful to become part of a diverse community of people who are invested and committed to coastal stewardship. Further, this program has helped me keep learning, which is important to me. I have also developed core knowledge that I hope to apply to my professional work in the future." – Jasmine Sears, ABC's of Black Los Angeles's Coastal History

"I would do this program 100 times. I have made lifelong friends, connected with the coast, and fallen more in love with birds! I feel empowered to connect my community to nature through art and storytelling!" – Flip Sarta

As we celebrate the incredible achievements of our inaugural Coastal Leadership Program graduates, we are inspired by their dedication to coastal stewardship and the meaningful connections they’ve built along the way. Their passion and creativity have laid the foundation for a brighter future for birds, coastal ecosystems, and communities.

Interested in applying for the next CLP cohort? Stay tuned and learn more about this transformative program HERE and keep up with Audubon California HERE.