Kylie Crisostomo-Rickman
Restoration Field Technician
As a Restoration Technician with STRAW, I am leading and supporting the in-field implementation of various riparian habitat restoration projects in San Benito and Santa Clara counties. I also am actively a part of student days, both assisting with in-classroom lessons on watersheds and leading students throughout planting on restoration days, continuously focusing on nurturing their connection to the land. Seeing a student’s spark of excitement grow for the plants, animals, and the land itself throughout the day is incredibly rewarding.
Born and raised in the Bay Area and having family I often visit in the Northern Sierras, my connection to the awe-evoking and diverse California ecology is deeply intertwined with my identity.
I attended the University of California, Davis receiving a double major in Plant Biology and English. I worked my first plant-focused job at the University’s Arboretum and Public Garden helping lead a vegetation mapping and data collection team. My experience at Davis helped me realize my passion for both California native plants and teaching about them.
Post-undergrad, I had the amazing opportunity to work on a post-fire ecology vegetation survey crew. Backpacking in remote severely burned montane forests of California was a moving experience and grounded my desire to work in conservation further.
Finding the 2022-2023 apprenticeship with STRAW at Point Blue, felt serendipitous for how directly the goals of the team and work aligned with my own passions, as well as for the extremely supportive team and mentorship I received in such a crucial early career phase. I am ecstatic to be continuing with the team now as a technician and feel lucky to be part of a sub-team expanding the incredible work STRAW has already done into more South Bay Area counties, especially being from the South Bay myself.
When I am out of the field, you often can still find me outside- on frisbee fields playing Ultimate with my team, hiking around looking for rare flowers, and kayaking with my mom. I also enjoy live music and trying new food around the Bay.