CalWild Welcomes new staffer Andrea Iniguez

• January 30, 2022
• CalWild

The CalWild board and staff are so excited to announce that we have hired a Riverside County Public Lands Fellow, Andrea Iniguez. CalWild is working on a number of initiatives in the desert and are excited to bring Andrea’s passion and energy to those efforts. The region has so much to protect and defend. It will be great to have someone focusing on the region again and moving forward some of our top priority campaigns in 2022.

A welcome from Andrea and more on her background:

Originally from Mexico, I immigrated to Southern California with my family at the age of two. Being new to the United States and with language as a barrier, my parents had very limited knowledge of California’s diverse landscape, so they often relied on family and friends to introduce us to new opportunities to explore nature. Notably, my father has always had a deep passion for nature that predates our arrival to the United States and stems from his childhood in Mexico. I grew up hearing stories of my father’s countless adventures through Jalisco’s wilderness while simultaneously creating memories of my own here on California’s public lands.

In college, I started to become more involved in my neighborhood and that sparked my interest in community organizing. For years, I helped organize multiple fundraisers, food drives, and volunteer groups for the residents of Skid Row (a historically disadvantaged neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles). In addition, I collaborated with numerous local humanitarian organizations like Urban Community Outreach in Long Beach. As a fierce environmental advocate, I planned and executed multiple educational events for the Pomona Boys and Girls Club of America. Ultimately, those experiences inspired me to pursue a career in public service.

I received my B.A. in Political Science, with an emphasis on Global Politics, from California State University, Long Beach. Immediately following my graduation, I was offered a management position with Nationwide Theatres Corporation which I accepted. I was inspired to transition into a career in public lands advocacy by my love of California’s natural landscape and a profound sense of responsibility to my community.

As CalWild’s new Riverside County Public Lands Fellow, I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside community leaders and members to protect California’s dazzling desert environment. Like many, I want to ensure that these areas are preserved for present and future generations to enjoy.

In my spare time, I am an aspiring beekeeper and I enjoy spending time outdoors. Currently, I am an active member of the Los Angeles Beekeepers Association (a nonprofit dedicated to educating the general public on the importance of bees in our lives). Some of my favorite outdoor activities include hiking, camping, snorkeling, and stargazing with close family and friends.

I look forward to meeting and working with everyone in the future to create a lasting impact by protecting the lands that influence and service us all.