Riley Black

Pronouns: he/him

Bio
Riley Black graduated with a B.A. in History and a minor in Spanish from Westmont College (2021). There, he enjoyed studying human societies and cultures within the context of their specific environmental conditions. At the end of his time at Westmont, he focused his historical research on transnational American history and the beginning of farmworker unionization primarily through the work done by Cesar Chavez in the 1960s. Riley’s research inspired him to spend more time studying the intersection of social justice and environmental science as harmful agricultural chemicals, pollution, and many other issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Upon graduation, Riley began work at an Organic farm in Carpinteria, learning about sustainable agricultural as well as shortened supply chains and reducing waste through farmers markets. Growing up in the American River Canyon of Northern CA and having ardently explored Santa Barbara County’s many unique terrains, habitat conservation has always been at the core of his passion for environmentalism. Specializing in Water resources management and conservation planning at Bren, Riley hopes to work as an environmental consultant equitably managing land and resources in ways that have not only neutral, but net positive environmental impacts.