Having lived within Los Angeles for the majority of my life, I was shocked to find out that the Angeles Forest is more than a highway. It is a busy and scenic escape from the heat for most families I have met. Nesting within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are streams of crystal blue water that allow a respite from the blistering heat of Los Angeles county’s crowded sprawls of cement. Amazed and awed by the gorgeous blue waters, I was soon shocked to find that most of the area was littered with old food wrappers and other debris. 

I was also informed that the pools that most people were wading in were man-made through the use of recreational dams. It created such a juxtaposition and conflict within me. I empathize with the desire to escape the heat; However, at the same time, I also know that if the misuse of the water systems continue, certain species of fauna would cease to exist, causing a ripple effect in the ecosystem. 

Invigorated with a mission and a passion for outreach and education, I am excited to finish my first month as a Field Ranger with the United States Forest Service and the MANO project. As someone who grew up near the Angeles National Forest, I want to inform the local community about the impact humans can have on an ecosystem. I wholeheartedly wish to see more folks from underserved communities like my own recreating responsibly in our nation’s shared lands. I believe that with more outreach and education initiatives, like the one I am participating in, that there can be a greater change with responsible recreation and a greater balance with humans and the environment.

With National Forest Week quickly approaching, I am excited to collaborate with my team to create informal interpretation tables. During the first month, we were given a quick tour of the forest, which is much larger than I expected. We were also able to meet experts in different fields of the forest service, such as archaeology and landscape architecture. Powered with knowledge and a pride for the city I live in, I look forward to all the new faces I will meet and new experiences I will encounter.