MESM 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Avery Bowen graduated cum laude with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. After graduation, she shifted her focus from law towards conservation fieldwork and joined California State Parks as an Environmental Services Intern where she gained hands-on experience in large-scale land management. Following a year in the field, she transitioned to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County as an Administrative and Development Assistant to gain insight into the operational side of conservation.
Throughout this journey, Avery learned the importance of not just conserving natural spaces, but also building connections between people and the environment. She is passionate about environmental education and bridging the gap between people and nature, so they can better understand and value its importance. Avery is now pursuing graduate studies at UCSB's Bren School, specializing in Conservation Planning, with the goal of becoming an Environmental Planner or a Project Manager. Over the next two years, she plans to build a robust skill set to lead conservation projects, implement effective habitat restoration strategies, and promote sustainable relationships between people and nature.