Nature For All Board of Directors, Community Voices, Interviews, Nature for All News

Board of Directors Spotlight: Vanessa Aramayo

What’s your favorite park, trail, or natural space in the greater Los Angeles area?

My family and I have enjoyed hiking Eaton Canyon the most, mainly because it’s small, kid-friendly, includes water streams, and is close to home. One of our favorite Los Angeles area parks is Griffith Park because there is SO much to do; a hike, picnic, horseback riding, a bike ride — and again, so accessible (close to home). 

What or who inspires you in your field of work? 

I’m inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Whether it is a grandparent or parent with limited time who commits to taking a training to better understand the education system for their child/children, or a young person who wants to learn more on an issue, about their environment or community and be able to make a positive impact. There are examples of this every day of people that are motivated to create better opportunities for others; increasing their knowledge, their engagement, and taking action for better change. 

Why are you excited to serve on the Nature for All board?

I am excited to serve on this board because Nature for All authentically engages communities of color on issues that have deep impacts to our communities. Too often, our communities lack a diversity of voices in discussing how to address these issues. 

Nature For All Board of Directors, Community Voices, Hiking, Interviews, Nature for All News

Board Member Spotlight: Casey Schreiner

What’s your favorite park, trail, or natural space in the greater Los Angeles area?

The Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak is my favorite hike in the L.A. area -– it really shows off the beauty of our unique landscape and revitalizes me every time I hike it. But my favorite park in the region is Griffith Park. It’s one of the largest municipal parks in North America, it really has something for everyone, and it’s truly one of the few places Angelenos have where we can get out of our cars and interact with each other

What or who inspires you in your field of work? 

I am really inspired by the concept of bioregionalism, which aims for a stronger connection between people and the natural places where they live.

Why are you excited to to serve on the Nature for All board?

In terms of access, equity, quality, and diversity, L.A. is currently facing outdoor issues that the rest of the country will be facing in the future soon. There are so many people doing good work in the outdoors here and using innovating approaches to tackle those problems. I am proud to be involved in this movement with Nature for All and I look forward to making our incredible outdoors more accessible to everyone in the Los Angeles area.

Nature For All Board of Directors, Community Voices, Interviews, Nature for All News

Board of Directors Spotlight: Thomas Wong

Thomas Wong, pictured with Rep. Judy Chu, is on the Nature for All Board of Directors.

What’s your favorite park, trail, or natural space in the greater Los Angeles area?

I love our local parks. I have really fond memories of Barnes Park. I grew up in Monterey Park, and we’d go there all the time for play days and community events. We used it for PE in elementary school and I learned to swim at the pool there. It was and still is a key gathering space for the neighborhood, where special occasions and culture are celebrated, and where people from throughout the city come to play and strengthen the bonds of community. 

What or who inspires you in your field of work? 

My parents immigrated to the U.S. and were fascinated by the national parks. Growing up, our family vacations would often be a visit to a national park, from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite, Yellowstone and beyond. They were proud of the way we took care to preserve and enhance our natural spaces for the benefit of all and for future generations. That value for nature has driven me in my work in environmental advocacy. 

Why are you excited to serve on the Nature for All board?

I’m excited to serve on the board of Nature for All to help inspire and equip more community advocates for nature and parks, to ensure our communities have access to our natural wonders and their benefits for generations to come.