Meet the incredible people bridging the gap between professionals and the public for the conservation of the Sonoran Desert and landscapes across Arizona.
Julie Bridwell
IG: @desertmoon.wanderer
“Nature and the outdoors (to me) means being a member of a universal community. I feel charged and hold incredible responsibility for our preservation and evolution. In all of Mother Nature’s beauty… she sees me, teaches me and holds a place for me.” Read bio…
Bianca Garcia
IG: @o.bianca.nobi
“Nature and the outdoors means so much to me, as it is a sense in which I connect with myself, those around me, and my roots. Growing up, the outdoors played a huge role in the way my family connected with their communities. Whether that be in our home country of Mexico or out here in the US.” Read bio…
Lisa Hankinson
IG: @arizona.wildermiss
“As more and more people recreate on our public lands, our outdoor spaces are increasingly at risk… We must also educate our viewers in order to ensure our natural areas are protected, conserved, and sustained.” Read bio…
Benita Hogue
IG: @capturing_the_outdoors
“Social media can become a voice to advocate for the preservation of these precious resources that are there for us to enjoy. By posting pictures of outdoor volunteer opportunities I’ve been involved in and providing information regarding how others can get involved, I can inspire others to volunteer at their local trails, preserves, deserts, forests or National Parks as well. ” Read bio…
Sean McClue
IG: @az_chuckwalla
“As part of the City of Phoenix Planning Commission back in the early 1970s, my father helped establish the Phoenix Mountain Preserve… He taught us the value preserving these special places from over development for future generations so that they could experience the same places we enjoyed as a family.” Read bio…
Isaiah Ortiz
IG: @isaiah.ortiz_
“Social media can be used as a tool to educate the average person of the importance of looking after our wild spaces. I believe that if people see how beautiful their backyards are, they will be more likely to look after them by keeping them clean and supporting measures to protect these spaces.” Read bio…
Rebeca Rodriguez
IG: @hikewithrebeca
“With my photos I hope to share lessons learned along the way (the good and the bad) to help others out in their journey with the outdoors…. As a community we can impact the places we love to recreate in. The more people that get involved in decisions involving our public lands, the better!” Read bio…
Jordan Griffith
IG: @jordanexplores
“Social media is just a wonderful vessel to connect other lovers of the outdoors to one another, and I think we just have a special aspect to our community where people will strive to preserve and protect they places they love, it allows us to connect and educate and reach far more people than we could ever meet in person.” Read bio…
Katisha Conner
IG: @katisha_kaptures
“Arizona is a diamond in the rough and everyday there is something to be grateful for. As a mother I appreciate the peacefulness when I go alone, I appreciate the grandeur when I go with my children. As a passionate landscape and wildlife photographer the possibilities to capture and see are limitless!” Read bio…
Randi Jamer
IG: @the.roaming.randi
“I have lived in three states (Arizona, Florida, and Utah) and have lived in Phoenix most of my life, and this is currently my third time living in Flagstaff! I also used to play quidditch and was on the original Northern Arizona University team.” Read bio…
Sheila Doherty
IG: @hikingunlimited
“As a kid I was outside from sunup until the street lights came on. As an adult I know that being outside makes me happy, I enjoy seeing all the beauty this world has to offer and I want to see as much of it as I can.” Read bio…
Brontë Ibsen
IG: @brontebeee
“Nature and the outdoors are everything to me. It is where I feel the most at home and the most myself. We are nothing without nature.” Read bio…
Bea Mendivil
IG: @iamcarbybea
“I believe that a huge part of conservation is taking care of one another. My purpose of advocating for Environmental Justice includes highlighting that both Social and Economic Justice are directly intertwined with our efforts to take care of the natural world. ” Read bio…
Deirdre Rosenberg
IG: @deirdredenaliphotography
“Since the beginning of social media times way back when, I really loved the way it allowed me to connect with people all over the country and all over our planet. Sharing my world has been a great way to get folks excited about nature. I can show off cool critters, educate a bit about misunderstood species and even share moments of wonder and awe that some may never get to experience in their life.” Read bio…
Collin Goode
IG: @cgoode18
“I’m a two-time cancer survivor who loves to help others enjoy the outdoors by spreading positivity and showing no matter what you’ve faced in life you can do whatever you set your mind to! I love getting people involved and started in enjoying the outdoors safely and responsibly.” Read bio…
The personal views and opinions of ambassadors do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or policies of the Sonoran Insiders program or partners.