my name is ryan reyes. i was born and raised in the coachella valley with my parents and three younger brothers, about 30 minutes from chuck walla. i didn't appreciate the treasurers found in my back yard and wasn't until i left california to go to college in a big city i realizeled i needed to be around the mountains, the sun and beauty of the desert i quickly returned home to the coachella valley to stargaze and enjoy the beauty of the desert. after finishing college i entered as a chuckwalla ambassador as a project that worked to protect california deserts. then i joined the team at the national autobahn society, a conservation nonprofit that works to protect birds and their habitats. it's been an empowering journey to learn how to advocate for these irreplaceable and incredible places we all need. and i plan to devote my career to environmental policies to protect these precious land, water, and animals. i realize how lucky i am to live in that magical place and how transformative it can be for our phys