Hi! I'm Richard!I study Ecology and Evolution at CSUN! I recieved the Outstanding Student-Faculty Research Collaboration Award from the CSUN (California State University, Northridge) Biology Department to pursue an investigation in sagebrush mortality in Owens Valley using dendrochronology and GIS. I am Co-Chair and Founder of CSUN QueerSTEM, a science and technology club for queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, (etc.) students, staff, faculty, and professionals in the field.In my free time I enjoy gardening with CSUN Food Garden, raising my red wiggler worms, taking care of my giant sulcata tortoise and 3 scorpions, and nights watching cooking and Netflix with my goofball meteorologist boyfriend, Gavin.I love science, which is why I decided to embark in this endeavor to go to Ecuador! This will be a semester long program, 6 weeks of which will be spent collecting data and carrying out our experiments in Ecuador, then we will have our chance to create and present our findings to the scientific community at CSUN.This program will be critical for my career, not only for the research and networking experience, but for conservation reasons as well. My entire life, I've wanted nothing more than to pursue my goal of being a conservation biologist. This is my chance to get out there, and begin that journey.With your support, I will raise the $1000 deposit for the trip, and the additional $5000 for the airfare, room, board, food, experimental equipment, guides, books and literature. I will keep everyone updated on my progress not only about the $6000 goal, but also during and after my program.Please, give a bit if you can, and share this to your friends and family. Support something that matters to the world, if you believe in citizen science, if you believe in helping someone start their career in conservation, and you want to make a difference in someone's life, support this campaign any way you can.I'd like to thank Ori Ravid for filming, Jeff Kent for all his hard work editing the video, and AtariSunshine for the awesome song.Thank you, and G-d Bless!