Who knew hours spent building makeshift dams out of sticks and stones at Adobe Creek near home as a toddler would eventually lead to constructing life-size beaver dam analogs throughout California? After volunteering with Symbiotic Restorations in 2023, Kiefer witnessed the power of ecological engineering as a sustainable scientific-based solution for restoring our ecosystem and wanted to increase awareness and participation. Currently a rising junior at Mountain View High School and a 2025 USESO Training Camp National Finalist, he hopes to share his deep rooted interest in geosciences with others. When not covered in mud digging basically anywhere there’s dirt, Kiefer can be found spiking on the volleyball court, foraging for mushrooms in the forests, and perusing seismology updates on the USGS website.
Coming from a family with five members affected by lung cancer who were all non-smokers, Amelia is empowered to spread awareness of the rising cancer epidemic and make environmental decontamination and rehabilitation a priority. She is pushing for healthy air, water, and land quality for all. Preventing wildfires, decreasing river erosion, and increasing river water filtration are among the benefits of beaver dam analog construction and are therefore of vital importance to her. In addition, she is also interested in the potential of mushroom cultivation for soil bioremediation. As a rising freshman at Mountain View High School, she enjoys crocheting, running, and playing competitive volleyball in her spare time.
Ever since he was young, Braydon has gained a strong appreciation for the great outdoors. A rising junior, he still vividly recalls fond memories of searching for rocks in riverbeds and taking pictures of wildlife, leading him to champion the preservation of these landscapes for future generations to enjoy. Drawing from his prior experience as a member of several different non-profits, he knows some of the ins-and-outs of how to run an organization, and he is overjoyed to work for a cause that he has a true passion for. Outside of being an Eco-Engineer, Braydon loves to relax by reading plays, running cross country, and listening to music by his favorite band, the Arctic Monkeys
An avid coding enthusiast since 7th grade, Luke Song is a rising senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley who loves turning ideas into reality. His concern for his sister’s safety during the Los Angeles wildfires sparked a deep interest in wildfire awareness and fire safety advocacy. In his free time, you can find him hiking, reading novels, or working on coding and research projects designed to make lives easier for everyone.
With a passion for environmental sustainability, Arissa seeks to find new ways to help society transition toward a more resilient future. As a rising Junior, she also spends her time contributing to the battle against wildfires with a team of students crafting an autonomous wildfire suppression system. After realizing the rapid change within our ecosystems, Arissa became even more committed to make a change. She aspires to lead the younger generation in tackling eco-challenges through action, innovation, and advocacy. Arissa believes that empowering the youth to create scalable solutions for a healthier planet is key to lasting impact, and she strives to aid in expanding awareness and inspire collective action. Moreover, she loves to fill her free time with baking, cooking, and fencing.
Whether it’s hiking through redwood forests, stargazing with her family, or simply sitting under a tree with a good book, Amy has always found a deep sense of peace and wonder in the natural world. A rising sophomore, she loves spending time outdoors, where she feels most inspired and alive. Amy’s love for nature fuels her passion to protect it, and she’s eager to see how hands-on action can lead to real change. When she’s not exploring outdoors, she enjoys playing violin and piano, listening to music, and reading sci-fi novels.
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Eco-Engineering In Action© is a non-profit organization founded by youths driven to sustainability solutions that integrate science, technology, and ecosystems principles.
