Luis Cruz

Luis is part of the newly founded Community Navigator team and will be serving the Northern California region. As a Community Navigator, Luis will be working to build connections between Latino based community organizations and the resources available to them through our partners at the US Forest Service.

A self described life long learner, Luis has passion for the conservation of our natural world that extends well beyond graduate school. He received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences and a Master of Environmental Science Management in conservation biology from the University of Rhode Island. Following his academic career, Luis worked for three years as an environmental scientist for the Narragansett Bay Commission, which operates wastewater treatment plants in Rhode Island.

As a MANO alumni, Luis has volunteered with non-profit organizations throughout his career focusing on environmental education. He has worked with organizations and institutions including Save the Bay (Rhode Island), Brown University, and the University of Rhode Island. Now living in Marina California, you can find him volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium talking about the ocean with anyone willing to listen.

Why he works for Hispanic Access…

"Ever since my time as a MANO intern back in 2019, I felt a strong connection to Hispanic Access and I knew that it was a place that aligned with my passion for helping people in my community. I am proud to be part of an organization that truly cares about empowering and elevating our community."

In his spare time…

“In my spare time, I like to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Either taking my boxer, Otis, on a nature walk or just spending time with friends at the beach just being outside makes me the happiest. But on the days that being outside is not possible, playing board games with the family would not be bad at all either.”

His favorite book…

“I have two favorite books. Book one is Rain of Gold because it taught me that there is always beauty and magic even when you are going through darkness. Book two is my Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America 5th edition because I like to go birding when I can.”

A person he finds inspirational…

“The person that inspires me most is my mother. After my father passed away when I was young, she raised my brother and I by herself. Never complaining, always encouraging and supportive. My house was never without love and I am the man I am today because of her.”