David Portilla had his start with environmentallly focused work in the Peruvian Amazon doing wildlife rehabilitation. Despite the impact that the work had on wildlife directly, he realized that ths scope of this work was limited and a transition to working in areas where humans and wildlife interact was next. The first of these jobs was alongside the USFWS and then with NYC parks. In both positions, the focus of the work was to create safer areas for the general public to enjoy, while at the same time considering the effects any changes would have on wildlife and natural resources. These experiences, coupled with the relevant degrees from SUNY Geneseo has led to a young environmentalist who is focused on expanding the impact to the public and wildlife his work can have.