Marcos Trinidad believes that everyone should be provided the opportunity to experience the healing powers of nature.

Born and raised in an urban environment, Marcos did not have outdoor experiences growing up in his community. It was a three year term with the U.S. military, living in Southern Germany’s country side that showed Marcos the positive affects of nature in everyday life. Today, as volunteer coordinator for Audubon YES! (Youth Environmental Services), Marcos is dedicated to engaging and inspiring students to connect to nature and their community through meaningful restoration projects throughout Los Angeles County.

For his TogetherGreen Fellowship, Marcos will work with a culturally diverse group of students on habitat restoration projects at the Madrona Marsh Preserve, thought to be the last vernal wetland ecosystem in Los Angeles County, and Owens Lake, a dry lake bed in central California. He will teach students the importance of these two ecosystems and how they are ecologically and biologically linked in vital long distance relationship. Through invasive weed control, reintroduction of native species through planting, and water quality testing, the students will learn how to become stewards of the land and why water conservation is so important in Los Angeles. Additionally, the students will learn about how to take part in bird surveys and monitoring of the repopulation of the nearly extinct, El Segundo Blue butterfly.

Marcos hopes that his restoration work encourages students to make healthy lifestyle changes and understand the role and value of all living species. Marcos would also like to see the volunteers become future stewards of the land and that they seek out continued ways to bring their community together with environment awareness and compassion.