By former SFBayWS Interpretive Associate Leila Inocentes

It is with a bittersweet heart that I am announcing that I will be leaving the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society and transitioning into a new full-time position with the City of San Jose as a Senior Recreation Leader at Emma Prusch Farm Park.

I began working for the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society last June as an Interpretive Associate. Since then, I have gained so much knowledge about the history of the San Francisco Bay Area, our different wetland habitats and wildlife, and the current restoration efforts underway in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have also gained so much experience as an interpreter, learned many new interpretive skills and techniques, and even developed my own interpretive program about how wetlands protect us from climate change. While I am sad to be leaving such an amazing organization, I am very excited to utilize the knowledge and skills that I have gained here to continue to educate the public, especially the next generation, about the importance of the natural environment in my new role.

In addition to these professional gains and accomplishments, I have had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with so many amazing SFBWS and USFWS staff members and volunteers! I appreciate your kindness and admire your passion and dedication for protecting The Refuge and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat. I will cherish all of our conversations and all of the moments that we have shared.

While I will no longer be working for the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, I hope to continue to support this organization’s important environmental education, conservation, and restoration work by returning as a volunteer once I have settled into my new position. I will miss all of you so much! Thank you for everything.

Leila Inocentes graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Climate Change Strategies. While completing her undergrad, Leila held several internships within different departments of Santa Clara County Parks that ranged from event planning, social media marketing, and environmental education and outdoor recreation program planning. In her position as the Interpretive Associate, she combined this experience with her love of the outdoors to assist with programs and virtual outreach that help connect and educate people about the Refuge, their watersheds, and how to protect both.