Alyssa Saldarriaga is a South Florida native who is passionate about protecting the diverse ecosystems that exist here, and empowering others to do so. In the early phases of her career in environmental education she volunteered at local nature centers and lead environmental camps. Over the last four years in her role as a Science Educator at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center she was responsible for developing Gumbo Limbo’s first celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and overseeing their seasonal events and public and school programs. Alyssa worked closely with the City of Boca and Palm Beach County School Districts to establish curricula and guidelines for environmental programming. She also served as a member of Resources in Science Education (RISE), and Florida Marine Science Educators Association (FMSEA).

In 2019 she received her Bachelor of the Arts degree majoring in Biology with a certificate in Environmental Studies, while working in invasive species mapping research. She is now working towards her Masters in Environmental Science, and assisted with the development of the Center for Environmental Studies’ ‘Understanding Algal Blooms in Florida’ video series. Overall, Alyssa aspires to always inspire environmental curiosity, critical thinking, and enthusiasm.