Environmental Science, '27
Something About Me
Halia is an incoming third-year student at UC Santa Barbara, pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Studies. At UCSB, Halia works with Associated Students Recycling, where she helps divert campus waste from landfills and supports sustainabilityfocused outreach and education. Her academic and professional interests center on marine conservation, particularly where it intersects with environmental justice and the preservation of cultural heritage. Through this fellowship, Halia is working closely with Bren Masters student Caroline Smith, in order to conduct a baseline environmental assessment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Recently designated as the first Tribal-nominated national marine sanctuary, her work will help inform the sanctuary’s first Condition Report and Climate Vulnerability Assessment, guiding future management and conservation strategies. Halia is conducting literature reviews, data analysis, and GIS mapping to create a marine mammal species guidebook and a seasonal sighting calendar for the sanctuary. She is also working on compiling a dataset of verified marine mammal observations from scientifically credible sources. These products will serve as foundational tools for establishing a baseline of marine mammal presence, supporting public outreach events, fostering community engagement, and informing future scientific assessments within the sanctuary