Meet the flock

Sofia Bajenaru

Hailing from Massachusetts, Sofia grew up with a passion for environmental justice and making the forests surrounding their town a home for all creatures. This drive took them across the country to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Oregon. With plenty of bird knowledge under their wing and a devotion to making the outdoors as accessible for learning as the classroom, Sofia approaches being an ELP educator with an emphasis on inclusivity and helping students find their passions. They hope to instill a sense of empathy and wonder for the world around them in their students.

Ivy Brott 

Ivy was born and raised in Grass Valley in the Northern California foothills. Growing up, her family spent lots of time exploring Sequoia National Forest and backpacking, mountain biking, and hiking near Lake Tahoe. After enrolling in the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College she entered the field of Environmental Studies after exposure to the outdoors and working with advocacy groups protecting native salmon runs in the Yuba River. She decided to pursue a dual degree in ENVS and PPPM during her second year when she realized the lack of effective strategies to combat climate change. Although she is looking to enter the field of environmental policy, she firmly believes in the importance of environmental education at a young age. Ivy is excited to be working with the Aves Compartidas team this year to bring environmental education and enhance knowledge of shared migratory birds within Eugene’s elementary schools.

 Teresa Crumly

Born and raised in Sonoma, California, Teresa grew up spending time at the beach with her family, raising livestock and gardening. These experiences fostered a love for coastal environments and animals, as well as an interest in sustainable agriculture. Studying abroad in Spain for her sophomore year of high school also sparked a love for travel, language and food, and she has continued pursuing these passions by studying abroad in Italy in University. She is an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, majoring in Romance Languages and minoring in Food Studies. While she is still unsure of which career she would like to pursue, Teresa aspires to work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Rachel Hamid 

Rachel Hamid resided in San Jose, California before moving to Eugene, Oregon. She grew up watching the Silicon Valley change as more corporations crowd the city and damage ecosystems, leaving less room for green spaces. When she started taking classes at the University of Oregon, Rachel realized her passion for environmental justice and the need for effective sustainability policies that allow every person to have access to safe, inclusive, and protected spaces. Rachel is now a third-year undergraduate majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science, and hopes to achieve these goals after finishing college while continuing to explore the beauty of natural environments. Being part of the Aves Compartidas team has helped Rachel further confirm her passions by spreading her love for environmental justice, activism, and exploration to future generations in order to help protect and preserve our planet. 

Matilda Henehan

A born and raised Seattleite, Matilda from a young age knew she wanted to pursue a career that protected the environment, and all its beings. Growing up, regular trips to Washington state’s natural wonders were common, and loved—especially ones that involved collecting cool rocks during beach walks! The rest of her free time was, and still is, spent doing one of the many arts & crafts she enjoys, typically alongside friends. This passion for the environment and humanities lended itself perfectly to the Environmental Studies major at the University of Oregon. Throughout her academic career, this former love for rocks would eventually take form as an additional Earth Science minor. Following her graduation in winter 2023, Matilda hopes to achieve a career that retains the sanctity of our natural spaces, while simultaneously serving the community at large. 

Hannah Motta

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and raised in Dallas, Texas Hannah grew up with a love for nature which ultimately led her to the University of Oregon. Working towards a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Hannah hopes to combine these two passions towards a career in environmental justice. Hannah’s main interests as a third year undergraduate include studying geographic information systems through remote sensing techniques in data analysis and acquisition. She has been able to apply her knowledge of Spanish linguistics through bilingual education as part of the Aves Compartidas team in the Environmental Leadership Program.

Raine Padawer

Raine grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she developed her environmental stewardship skills at a young age. Being surrounded by Utah’s beautiful scenery, made her want to instill admiration for the natural world in others! Raine is an Environmental Studies Major, with an emphasis on the humanities. Through the Environmental Leadership program, Raine strives to create a safe space in outdoor environments, aiming to promote equity and equal access through the Aves Compartidas program. With an enthusiasm for art, Raine applies her creative outlook on life into her environmental leadership. With a history of working with kids, Raine loves shaping young minds through her environmental knowledge and her artistic integrity. 

Alex grew up in Corvallis, Oregon which provided a rich environmental upbringing with frequent trips to local old-growth forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Inspired by these experiences, Alex is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Spanish Language and Society at the University of Oregon. As a bilingual Environmental Leadership Program educator, she emphasizes Spanish in the classroom to help more students feel at home in outdoor spaces. Outside the classroom, she continues her studies at River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School through a thesis in the Clark Honors College, investigating barriers to transportation to school with a focus on language, physical infrastructure, and environmental justice. In the future, Alex hopes to find a career in continuing to make the outdoors more accessible for all people.