Catching Up with Ria Espinoza at Point Reyes National Seashore 

Last time we checked in with Ria Espinoza, a graduate of our UP! program, was in 2022. She had just obtained her undergraduate degree at Cal Poly Humboldt, had started as the Race and Equity Intern for the city of Arcata, and was looking to further her career. Now, one year later, Ria is the Bilingual Environmental Educator at Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS). 

When she began college, Ria really wanted to find a way to work in nature and help her community. Thanks to her determination and the support of Canal Alliance, Ria is achieving her goals. According to Ria, a huge part of her success has been the support she’s received from Claudia Garcia, Canal Alliance’s College to Career program lead. “I found this [PRNS] job through Claudia, yet another example of big support I got from [her]!” exclaimed Ria.  

On top of acquiring new skills in a field in which she wants to work, Ria is also breaking barriers for underserved communities and students of color. As the Bilingual Environmental Educator at PRNS, Ria connects to the children and youth visiting the National Seashore with her own expertise.  

“One thing I’m really noticing is that there aren’t that many environmental educators that are Latina. We work with kids from Oakland, Richmond, San Pablo and other unrepresented communities. Out of my entire team, I’m the only one that can connect with them in Spanish,” says Ria. 

Growing up in the Canal, Ria did not always have all the resources to take trips out to the numerous parks and open spaces that Marin has to offer. In fact, Ria didn’t connect to the outdoors until she attended a Point Reyes summer camp with Canal Alliance as an UP! participant. Turns out, that one field trip was all she needed to know: the great outdoors were her calling.  

“When I work with newcomers to the country that don’t get to hike in nature due to economic barriers, I’m glad I can give them my knowledge and share with them, whether it’s cultural or scientific!” 

In her new role, Ria has learned that she likes to work with kids and make an impact in their lives. She wants to raise the bar when it comes to sharing environmental knowledge with young people. She knows the value it can bring to others, as it helped her on her journey to where she is today. 

“When I went to Point Reyes summer camp [with the Canal Alliance UP! program], the PRNS instructors weren’t teaching the kids the way I am. I am doing this because I never had the opportunity to experience nature in the manner that I’m teaching it. The opportunity to learn about nature is something that I never had for most of my growing up, so I’m glad I have the opportunity to teach it to young kids now!” 

If you would like to learn more about our college to career program or our University Prep (UP!), you can read more here.