Where Are They Now? Catching Up with 3 Grassroots Ecology Alumni

Jun 2

If you’ve been to a Grassroots Ecology event, it's likely you’ve interacted with a current or former AmeriCorps member, intern, or Youth Steward. Each of these programs is designed to equip young people with skills for success in an environmental career. Good news—it’s working!

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to catch up with three program alumni. After their time with Grassroots Ecology, Meili, Rohan, and Meera each followed their passion deeper into the environmental field. During our conversations, I learned how the spark that started at Grassroots Ecology moved them in numerous directions: mycological research, exploration of ocean ecosystems, and a commitment to spreading community-based habitat restoration throughout California. Read on to learn more about their journeys as emerging environmental professionals!

Interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member, intern, or Youth Steward with Grassroots Ecology? Check out our open opportunities! Links can be found at the bottom of this article.

How were you involved with Grassroots Ecology?

Meili: I was a California Climate Action Corps fellow, primarily working at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. It was cool to work at a space that Grassroots Ecology has stewarded since its founding! I stewarded restoration areas, monitored bird boxes and trees, and ran volunteer events.

Rohan: I was part of the Youth Stewards program in high school, starting in 2020. I did multiple sessions of Youth Stewards at Arastradero Preserve and Byrne Preserve, and I served as a high school assistant for a middle school cohort at Foothills Nature Preserve. I’ve loved attending volunteer events since I graduated high school, too.

Meera: I learned about Grassroots Ecology through Woodside High School’s Green Academy in 2019. I joined the Youth Stewards program at Stulsaft Park, and it was such a perfect, hands-on way to make a difference for climate resilience in our area. I did the Youth Stewards program throughout high school and then participated in Grassroots Ecology’s Summer California Naturalist Internship in 2023.

What are you up to now?

As a mycology researcher, Meili visits forests throughout California to collect soil samples. Her research helps to predict how trees respond to climate change.

Meili: I’m an Environmental Science Research Professional at Stanford University. I’m part of two labs exploring how mycorrhizal fungal communities can support tree growth.

I love the variety of my job. Some days, I’m in the lab doing DNA sequencing for our soil samples or on my computer planning logistics for an upcoming trip. Other days, I’m in the field collecting samples or planting trees. I’ve gotten to travel throughout California and internationally, and have loved embracing opportunities for learning: helping postdocs with other projects, auditing classes, reading academic papers, and attending seminars.

In the future, I’d like to continue studying mycology. I’m excited to report that I’ve been accepted to the Stanford Biology PhD Program, on the Ecology and Evolution track. I will continue working with Dr. Kabir Peay, studying how fungi enhance ecosystem resilience and support restoration efforts.

Rohan: I’m now a senior at UC Irvine studying Earth System Science with a specialization in Oceanography.

During my time at UCI, I’ve worked in a paleooceanography lab studying marine microfossils, as well as a fluid dynamics lab modeling how seawater mixes in the ocean through simulations. As a sophomore, I was awarded a scholarship from NOAA that funded two summer internships at NOAA offices. The highlight of that experience was a hydrography internship doing navigation response work in Seattle – I spent time on NOAA boats working with Navigation Response Teams using SONAR to map the topography of the sea floor.

I learned that I really enjoy computational work and fieldwork, and I want to pursue a career in ocean science. I’m excited to start work as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA Joint Hydrographic Center while pursuing an M.S in Earth Sciences (Ocean Mapping) at the University of New Hampshire starting this fall!

Rohan participated in a STEMSEAS expedition from Newport, Oregon to San Diego, California. He also completed sea-floor mapping as part of an internship with NOAA.

As President of the Davis Rewilding Society, Meera educates other students about the importance of native plants and controlling invasive species. Student restoration efforts were a deciding factor in choosing to attend UC Davis.

Meera: I’m a senior at UC Davis studying Environmental Science and Management with a concentration in Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation. I also have a minor in Landscape Restoration.

In college, I’ve been involved in ecology research, studied abroad in Oslo, and done an Eco-Entrepreneurship seminar in Amsterdam. However, I’ve really found my niche in the Davis Rewilding Society, a student-led native plant and habitat restoration organization. We have a greenhouse to grow native plants, a native seed library, and several education programs for students to learn about conservation and restoration tools. One highlight was planning a field trip to the redwoods. I found my love of nature in the redwoods and it was amazing to get to share that with other students, too.

I’m passionate about engaging youth and underrepresented communities in the environmental field; looking ahead, I’d love to continue working in community-based restoration and build a career as a non-profit leader. I'm excited to be joining the Santa Clara County Parks department as a Natural Resources Management Intern, where I will be working on invasive species mapping and planning projects.

How has your time at Grassroots Ecology shown up in your life since?

Meili: I’ve brought field skills, plant identification, and other knowledge from Grassroots Ecology to my new role at Stanford. It’s been cool to collect data in ecosystems so close to Arastradero, and I’ve even enlisted some of Grassroots Ecology’s current AmeriCorps members to help with fieldwork!

Rohan: The sense of curiosity I gained as a Youth Steward has served me in classes, research, and my job. I didn’t grow up camping or backpacking, but I was inspired by the time I spent outdoors with Grassroots Ecology and signed up for a student-led camping trip in the Mojave Desert. I really enjoyed it, and became a student trip leader for UCI’s Outdoor Adventure Program. This job has been a fantastic way to explore Southern California and inspire other students to feel welcome outdoors.

Meera: I fell in love with native plants at Grassroots Ecology and it inspired me to find a university program where I could focus on restoration. Field skills such as transect monitoring and seed propagation – and community engagement skills such as leading a naturalist walk – were really impactful for me, and I’ve applied that experience in my research and work with the Rewilding Society. I’ve also leveraged the California Naturalist Certification to get jobs in ecological research and plant surveying.

What’s your favorite California native plant?

Meili: Lupine. Or anything that’s purple!

Rohan: Mugwort. I love the smell of it!

Meera: Coast redwood. My happy place is in the redwoods!

Seeing all the different and meaningful paths our alumni are taking makes us even more excited to welcome future cohorts of Youth Stewards, paid interns, and AmeriCorps members! Participants in each of these unique programs are an invaluable part of Grassroots Ecology’s ecosystem, restoring local ecosystems alongside the community during their time with us—and carrying that commitment to stewardship forward long after.

When I asked Meili, Rohan, and Meera what advice they would give someone starting off in their Grassroots Ecology program, one thing came up again and again: take advantage of every learning opportunity. It’s rare to have access to so many mentors and peers who are passionate and knowledgeable. Ask questions, get to know the other people in your cohort, dive into readings, and take advantage of every field trip, workshop, and opportunity to learn something new!

It’s also inspiring to hear how friendships that started in Grassroots Ecology’s programs have blossomed beyond the formal term. I hear there’s even a regular trivia night attended by current and former fellows and interns!

Are you a high school student interested in a habitat restoration deep-dive? Learn more and fill out the interest form for Summer Youth Stewards here. The program begins Wednesday, June 10!

Are you a college student or recent grad, or just interested in exploring a career in the environmental field? If you have part-time availability, our paid Habitat Restoration Internship is for you! Find more information and the application here. Apps are due Sunday, June 14.

Are you looking for a full-time paid habitat restoration position with support for professional development and networking? We have openings for California Climate Action Corps and Watershed Stewards Program placements at Grassroots Ecology! Learn more here.