Hero Spotlight, Dalia Ruiz

 Dalia’s Passion for Birds Began as a Child

Dalia, a member of our habitat management team, recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with Nature Collective. Her passion for birds began as a child, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from San Diego State University. Later, Dalia gained practical experience under the mentorship of Robert Patton, a biologist, and Kate Goodenough, an interdisciplinary scientist.

Since her early years, Dalia’s career has flourished. As a result, she has acquired extensive knowledge in monitoring endangered species, including the California Least Tern, San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, and Pacific Pocket Mouse. She has worked in various environments, from the cliffs of San Clemente Island to the dense mud of the Amazon jungle.

San Diego is home to Dalia and her family, and she considers herself fortunate to work for Nature Collective, where she explores the diverse habitats within San Elijo Lagoon every day. While working with Nature Collective, she finds joy in observing her beloved birds. Dalia shares that one of her favorites is the White-tailed Kite, a raptor that hovers in one place, facing the wind in a distinctive way known as “kiting.”

Above: White-tailed Kite

She also enjoys interacting with the Sara orangetip, which is often sighted at our Santa Carina restoration site, knowing her efforts in habitat restoration make a lasting impact now and for future generations.

Above: Sara Orangetip

One project she is especially proud of is the La Orilla restoration site, where she witnesses thriving wildlife diversity firsthand. One of Dalia’s favorite parts of her job is conducting bird surveys at our Val Sereno Preserve restoration sites, where she enjoys watching the quiet before sunrise, the early morning bird chirps that grow progressively louder, and the increase in bird activity as they greet the day, reaching its peak and then slowly becoming quiet again as the heat rises.

Above: La Orilla Restoration Site 3 Years Ago After Eucalyptus Tree Removal 

Above: La Orilla Restoration Site Today

Her career encompasses projects with notable organizations such as the San Diego Zoo Global and UC Santa Barbara, expanding her expertise to include wetland habitats and beyond.

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