Kira Hum

Indeed! NPCA is the organization that took Kira on her first backpacking trip! Kira was introduced to NPCA while obtaining her dual bachelor’s degree in Communications and Economics at UCLA. Ironically, neither of those degrees pertain to nature, nor conservation. But one day, while she was attending her Asian American Studies lecture, an esteemed NPCA staff member made a guest-appearance and invited students to attend the Sing Peak Pilgrimage– an educational excursion centered around Asian American history in Yosemite National Park. It was a week full of learning from park rangers and community leaders from all over California, celebrating the history of Tie Sing– the Chinese American backcountry chef who was instrumental in the founding of the NPS. Kira couldn’t believe such an opportunity was possible! And by the grace of NPCA’s generosity and welcoming, she went. And she had the experience of a lifetime.

Kira has taken inspiration from NPCA and its people in many ways. Much of her art and activism is empowered by what she has learned about preservation and restoration. She is dedicated to being an advocate for the environments and cultures that fuel the National Parks and public lands, along with the local communities of her hometown in the San Gabriel Valley. Kira hopes to lead through community– to share our stories– and to continue to let community be the lesson