My love for nature began early, exploring the trails of Griffith Park with my dad, where I grew up hiking and discovering the beauty of the outdoors. In fifth grade, that passion led me to participate in a project called Heroes Around Us, where students could use a variety of artistic methods to highlight someone they admired. I chose to interview wildlife biologist Jeff Sikich and explore the challenges facing mountain lions, particularly the famous Hollywood Hills lion, P-22, and the ongoing problem of inbreeding. My project earned first place in the film category, but it was just the beginning. I stayed in touch with Jeff, set up my own trail cameras in Griffith Park, and to my surprise, captured images of P-22—fulfilling a dream and contributing to his research. My dedication and curiosity eventually led to an even greater opportunity: helping with the construction of the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, bridging my love of nature with hands-on conservation work.