Andres Rodriguez grew up in Boyle Heights, a community with limited access to natural spaces. Despite the challenges of growing up in this environment, Andres' parents introduced him to nature at a very early age by enrolling him in the Boy Scouts of America, where he learned various outdoor skills.
It was through the 5-year college prep program C5 Los Angeles that Andres discovered his true passion for the outdoors. The program selected several students to attend a camp in Wyoming for a month for two summers, which allowed him to explore nature further. Andres continued to pursue his passion throughout his undergraduate studies at California State University, Northridge, where he served as a trip leader for the university’s Outdoor Adventure program. This program provided students with opportunities to develop leadership skills while exploring national, state, and regional parks. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Planning. Today, Andres works for a non-profit organization that helps address climate change at a local level