Maria grew up in Montana where she was fortunate to spend her youth exploring the state’s wild places. These early trips outdoors inspired her to get involved in youth conservation while in high school. These experiences of stewardship left a lasting impression on her. She went on to study Environmental Science at the University of Montana and has since contributed to conservation efforts throughout the American West including invasive species removal in the California redwoods, backcountry trail construction in Idaho, and more recently alpine meadow restoration at Mount Rainier National Park. Maria recently relocated to New Mexico and is excited to explore and learn more about the region while supporting NMLC’s mission. She brings a strong field background in restoration ecology and a passion for protecting natural spaces. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to Latin America and is slowly learning to speak Spanish.