Celia Contreras grew up in the north east San Fernando Valley. Growing up she didn't do much hiking or camping. Her older sister changed that and exposed her to something that is now a big part of who she is today.
After high school she was offered a job with a nonprofit organization called “Pacoima Beautiful”. It was there that Celia began her understanding of environmental justice and began her work with youth to encourage them to think critically about their community.
Her community and family shaped her educational career. While at UCSC, Celia studied environmental studies and received her degree in community studies. After college she began working for the Forest Service as a Field Ranger where she worked on outreach efforts to inform visitors about the importance of our local mountains and water tributaries. She is a certified California Naturalist and currently works with Pacoima Beautiful as a community organizer. As an organizer she works towards equitable and just public policy that directly affects underserved communities like her hometown of Pacoima. When she is not organizing Celia enjoys being outdoors and learning more about plant identification.