Jasper Ridge Environmental Education Scholar Award

Kelly Benitez is an Earth Systems major with extensive research experience in biology. One of Kelly’s nominators shared that her work “is characterized by meticulous intentionality, intellectual excellence, a collaborative spirit, and a deep care for both science and people.” An alum of the BIO/ESYS 105 Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve course (2023), Kelly demonstrated incredible scientific acumen with her project on coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and warrior’s plume (Pedicularus densiflora), and an unabashed fascination for hemiparasitistic relationships. 

Kelly is part of the Strategies for Ecological Education, Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS) chapter leadership at Stanford, frequently developing environmental education classroom programs to give for the Redwood Environmental Academy Leadership at Redwood High School. She has also supported REAL students’ trips to Jasper Ridge, and conceived, developed, and co-led tours at Jasper Ridge that focus on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and serve programs such as the Ohlone College MESA program. Kelly is transparent and generous with sharing her personal journey as a Hispanic, first-generation, low-income college student with the students she connects with. This creates space for shared identity and mentorship while she encourages students to pursue higher education and explore resources available to students in need.

We recognize Rahsaan McFarland II, an Earth Systems major and American Studies minor, and member of the Stanford Black Student Union. He helped establish Nurtured by Nature, aimed at educating, empowering, and engaging Stanford’s African diaspora with the fields of Earth and Environmental sciences. It was evident in Rahsaan’s nomination letter that he had a deep, abiding commitment to expanding outdoor environmental education experiences for Black students and youth. By his own count, he has organized and/or contributed to 20 different events, and reached 100s of participants. 

Part of Rahsaan’s story involves first coming to Stanford with his eyes set on majoring in Mechanical Engineering. It wasn’t until a full year after he founded Nurtured by Nature that he made the switch to Earth Systems. The turning point was a canceled excursion to Yosemite to meet Ranger Shelton Johnson and learn about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. Mother Nature had other plans in Spring 2023… the Valley flooded and park services shut down. Devastated, Rahsaan began planning an Autumn trip centering around the Coast Redwood. He shared, “This led me down a rabbit hole of wonder in the big trees of California — and the even taller stories that surround them. Fog. Indigeneity. Salmon. Sequestration. Restoration. Nothing had ever captivated my intellect quite like that before. So, I switched paths. And it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Please join us in congratulating Kelly and Rahsaan!

Diego Perez is a co-term student in Biology and alum of the BIO/ESYS 105 Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve course (2023). As Teaching Assistant for BIO/ESYS 105 in 2024, he was an integral and exemplary member of the teaching team. He consistently leads with kindness and generosity towards students, encouraging them to center their well-being as they grow their knowledge about Jasper Ridge. This is paired with his incredible acumen as a young scientist. In the 2024 course, he frequently advised students on project design, guided their fieldwork at the Preserve, and helped with statistical analysis. 

Diego has led a number of tours for students from local high schools, community colleges, outreach programs, and the Environmental Justice Working Group since he became a docent in 2023. His nominator speaks to his community outreach and sharing the preserve: “As a testament to his commitment to foment diversity and belonging, Diego continually supports Jasper Ridge’s events as a docent and community connector, particularly for groups including youth, high school students, and underserved communities.”  

Our second awardee is Bioengineering undergraduate and JRBP('O'O) Ranger Shreya Garg. Shreya approached Jasper Ridge leadership this year and asked for the opportunity to drive more engagement with our Instagram account (@stanfordjrbp). She has successfully done this with her beautiful photography, multimedia, and profiles of student interns and faculty working at Jasper Ridge. In spring 2024, she worked to bring 18 Title 1 high school students to the preserve for workshops. Stanford Report profiled her and this outreach program in the article “Campus visit sparks high school students’ interest.” 

Shreya’s nominator summarized her commitment with, “Her work in education, outreach, and fostering an inclusive learning environment demonstrates her exceptional commitment to building and sustaining a dynamic community.” 

Shreya also describes what Jasper Ridge has meant to her own development towards a STEM career and as an educator. “As someone who aspired to enter the field of science education, particularly for students of underrepresented backgrounds such as myself, I am indebted to Jasper Ridge for the opportunities it has given me in molding myself into a more thoughtful, equitable, and knowledgeable educator.”  

Please join us in congratulating Diego and Shreya!

The 2023 Environmental Education Scholar Award has been awarded to Earth Systems major Chrysanthe Frangos. Chrysanthe is an alum of the BIO/ESYS 105 "Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve" course (2023). Since she started at Stanford, Chrysanthe has been involved in the Stanford Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS) student chapter.

SEEDS maintains a long-standing partnership with Redwood High School and provides programs to the Redwood Environmental Academy of Leadership (REAL). Her boundless enthusiasm for this program quickly led her to a leadership position within SEEDS. As of June 2024, she serves as President of the student chapter. Since 2022, she has coordinated several in-person programs on biology and environmental issues at Redwood High School, including activities and lessons on energy resources, insects, and fungi.

Chrysanthe recently conducted a pilot study to use camera traps at Jasper Ridge to study small mammal activity and herbivory on native plants. Her efforts have led to a better understanding of a camera trapping model that could effectively observe these populations in the future.  

Her nominator writes, “I am convinced that she embodies excellence in outreach and education, one of the primary pillars at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma).”

Please join us in congratulating Chrysanthe! 

Bianca Silva Santos is a PhD student in the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, where she focuses her research around science and policy for managing human impacts on highly migratory marine animals in the Pacific. Her research applies interdisciplinary methods from the fields of marine science, ocean governance and policy, and environmental decision-making. In addition to her research, Bianca has served as National Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow with NOAA and as a fisheries policy intern with the Food and Agriculture Organization. These experiences have solidified her practice as an outstanding STEM outreach advocate and science communicator.

Bianca has brought new interdisciplinary initiatives to Jasper Ridge, by leading outreach efforts with the Environmental Justice Working Group (EJWG) at Stanford University. As the communications program director, Bianca built this website, ran social media accounts, and designed and distributed the working group's quarterly newsletter. Bianca also played a key role in organizing the first EJWG retreat at Jasper Ridge.  From the very early planning stages, Bianca helped to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience for more than 30 participants for the EJWG to achieve its goal of designing the next steps for building environmental justice into research, teaching, and community engagement at Stanford.

Her dedication to connecting students to more research and educational activities extends beyond her own PhD research. For example, as soon as Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve safely re-opened its doors in 2021 to in-person educational and outreach activities, Bianca was key in organizing the Stanford Earth Summer Undergraduate Research Program and led an educational visit to the preserve. More than 20 students learned directly from Professor Rodolfo Dirzo and other docents about the history of Jasper Ridge and the variety of environmental science research in the preserve. Bianca also took the role of a Stanford Earth DEI Liaison and led a partnership with Jasper Ridge staff and docent Aiyana Washington to invite and host author and environmental activist Leah Thomas to speak with students during the 2022 Earthtones event.

Bianca’s nominators lauded Bianca’s impact not just to the Jasper Ridge community, but to the entire Stanford community: “In all instances, Bianca has demonstrated herself to be a highly creative individual and sensitive human being, guided by a deep sense of compassion, with a strong motivation to make a positive change in the world. Bianca is unquestionably an exceptional candidate for this award due to her continuous contribution to expanding education and collaboration opportunities, pillars of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve's mission.”

We are pleased to announce Sydney Lee Schmitter and Sriram R. Narasimhan as the recipients of the 2021 Jasper Ridge Environmental Education Scholar Award. Both students have engaged in meaningful environmental education activities both at and related to Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve by leading outreach efforts with the Redwood Environmental Academy of Leadership (REAL) program and their leadership with the Stanford SEEDS student chapter. Sriram is an alumnus of the BIO/ESYS 105 Ecology and Natural History of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve course (2020) and Sydney has been volunteering with the Stanford SEEDS chapter since February 2020.

Throughout the entire 2020-2021 calendar, Sriram and Sydney worked closely with REAL teacher Mr. Chris Beetley-Hagler to organize, design and deliver four virtual environmental education sessions for the students in the program. They engaged the students with dynamic virtual lectures and activities on topics such as The Green New Deal, Climate Justice, Indigenous Wildfire Management and Plant Communities at Jasper Ridge. Over the course of the year, both Sririam and Sydney kept inviting more and more Stanford students to join the virtual activities and continue to communicate resources and opportunities to the Jasper Ridge, Stanford and SEEDS community.

Mr. Beetly-Hagler asked his students what they thought about Sriram and Sydney leading the virtual sessions and they expressed many forms of gratitude for their time and for introducing them to new topics. One student voiced: “I appreciate it very much, I like when other guests, are in the class, we don’t have that many guests, so it is fun.” Another student followed that “I really appreciate that they make us learn new things”. For example, during one of the Climate Justice sessions, students were introduced to the Sunrise Movement: “I learned for the first time that this group focuses on providing a safe space for young people to empower themselves and work on Environmental Justice issues to establish positive and systemic change through grassroots community organizations and it is run by young people of color”.

Their nominator described their contributions beautifully: “Even during the difficult and challenging times of COVID-19, Sriram and Sydney found a way to provide environmental education and outreach opportunities to broader audiences and historically under-represented groups in STEM fields. I am convinced that they embody excellence in outreach and education, one of the primary pillars of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve.”

Congratulations Sydney Schmitter and Sriram Narasimhan!