During my time in the MES program I worked for the Sustainability in Prisons Project as the first coordinator for their Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly captive breeding program at the Mission Creek Correction Center for Women. During my time there I learned that the best way for me to make a meaningful difference is not by planting as many trees as I can, but through empowering and bringing together novel and under-engaged conservation partners. I now work for Joint-Base Lewis McChord Environmental Division, where over the last decade I have built a habitat restoration and endangered species management internship for retiring active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and college students from over 20 different institutions. It is now the largest military environmental volunteer program in the world, with over 500 former participants and contributing about 15,000 hours per year. One highlight is that I was I was recently named the 2024 JBLM Employee of the Year! The MES program and the connections I made there continue to shine at the heart of everything I do.