Determined to merge her love for the environment with her career aspirations, Tanya pursued a degree in environmental science. Her journey took a significant turn when she joined the Latino Heritage Internship Program through Hispanic Access Foundation’s MANO Project. This internship placed her at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle, where she worked in the Community Engagement Division.

“My role was focused on making national parks more accessible to underserved communities. It was a challenge, especially in a city like Seattle, where many of the communities I wanted to reach were not located downtown.”

During this internship, Tanya realized she would make another use of her knowledge of environmental sciences. Rather than following a traditional path in research, she decided to attend law school. “I realized that there were many things within the law that were very secluded to communities of color, and those were the things that I wanted to change.”

After that first internship, Tanya continued to work closely with Hispanic Access Foundation, this time through a longer fellowship at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. She worked mostly with Park Rangers, ensuring the park was welcoming and inclusive.

“From my personal experience, I think it could be a little daunting going into these National Parks as immigrant families, because you see these park rangers in uniform, so there's a lot of things that can make these spaces not welcoming. However, when you see a face that looks like you, that can speak your language, that can tell you that these people are here to help you, they're here to interpret, then it tells your experience. So, that was one of my big pushes to make people feel more comfortable in these spaces. For my Latino Conservation Week Event, we involved REI, the Texas Conservation Corporation, and a lot of local groups that did restoration work to partner with us. It was amazing to see the public come out on one of the mission sites and have this free event where they could learn more about the area that they live in.”

Tanya’s experiences at the missions and her work in Seattle inspired her to continue a career in environmental law. In May, Tanya graduated from law school and began preparing for her new role at an environmental law firm in Seattle, where she finished her law degree. As Tanya continues her journey with a new role, she remains committed to bringing the inclusive and welcoming environment she experienced in San Antonio and through her earlier work in Seattle. Her experience of embracing one’s cultural identity and using it to drive positive change reflects a dedication to both her heritage and her mission of environmental advocacy.

“My goal is to advocate for environmental justice and support Latino and other underserved communities. Adjusting to a predominantly white environment was difficult, but I found support and community through Latino associations. They have been a source of strength and encouragement during my time there.”