Crystal Charles (she/her)

Abolition Ecologies Researcher: Food Sovereignty (SeaForester) 

I am a Yurok, Welsh, and Scandinavian resident of Humboldt county. I am an active member of the Northern California Tribal Court Coalition (NCTCC), where I serve on a committee for Indigenous Food Sovereignty.

I am passionate about Food Sovereignty and organic foods because I have been able to address my own health issues by learning about nutrition and adjusting my diet. I am looking forward to offering these same resources to others.

Recently I graduated from the Yurok Tribal Wellness Court and celebrated 19 months of being clean and sober. I am excited to support other formerly incarcerated people in their healing.

Outside of my work for Indigenous Food Sovereignty, I have experience as a student of massage therapy, a mentor for tribal youth in Mendocino County, and a gardener.

Being part of Earth Equity's work is definitely a blessing. I am looking forward to transferring skills I learn as an Abolition Ecologies Researcher to my community.

Mister Vega (he/they)

Abolition Ecologies Researcher: Kelp Restoration (SeaForester) 

As a dedicated single parent and social worker, I am passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities and other marginalized communities.

As a recent graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt with a bachelor’s in social work, I bring a strong foundation in advocacy and direct service. My personal experience of raising a child with autism, coupled with my involvement in organizations like Project Rebound and Old Town Community Alliance, fuels my commitment to creating positive change.

As a participant in Earth Equity, I am driven by a deep commitment to Environmental Justice and human potential. My personal experience with incarceration and direct aid has fueled my passion for supporting individuals impacted by incarceration. I believe that combining ecological restoration with reentry support can create a more just and sustainable future for all.

Rooted in Humboldt County, I enjoy the outdoors, fitness, and connecting with my community.

Sonia Hunsucker (she/her)

Abolition Ecologies Researcher: Reentry Support (SeaForester)

I am a Yurok Tribal member, mother, sister, and daughter first and foremost. I also identify as a former incarcerated Lifer. I served 12 years on a 15-life sentence when I was released through Prop 1437 in May of 2021.

I came home a woman with a vision, goals, and dreams. While reentry was not an easy transition, I have remained determined to navigate towards a future that will allow other struggling people to find and gain access to the resources we all so desperately need. I want to support others as they come home.

I dedicated my time inside to self-help, ceremony, education, running the Native circle, and maintaining the sacred grounds. I came home with my A.A. in Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the drive to be part of a team ready to assist in changing the lives of those seeking something different.

My lived experiences allow me to know the needs of those integrating back into society as well as what it takes to lower recidivism rates. I joined Earth Equity because I want to be part of the movement to enhance the lives of those still incarcerated while having the platform to be part of a successful reentry team.

Food sovereignty has become a major influence on the Native community – rippling out to support those affected by diabetes, obesity, and dietary habits which lead to shorter lives. I want to be someone that leads those within and beyond my community through transformation into a completely new way of life and wellbeing. My end goal is to have gained knowledge and to have enhanced the chances of success within our community.

I spend my personal time gathering whatever natural resource is in season. 

Steph McKindley (she/her)

Abolition Ecologies Researcher: Economic Justice (SeaForester) 

[Bio Coming Soon]

James (he/him)

Aquaponics Fellow (SeaForester) 

My name is James. I’ve been living in Eureka for going on 20 years. This is a very beautiful place to live. I love the mountains, the redwoods, the oceans, and the climate. I feel at home in this kind of environment. 

I’m interested in working with Earth Equity because I want to be educated about kelp and its benefits for the planet and people. I’m happy to be part of this work to help develop something good for the community here. 

It’s important to me to be able to heal the climate, cure ocean acidification, and care for marine ecosystems.

Polimana (all pronouns)

Documentary Film Co-Director (SeaForester) 

Greetings! My name is Polimana. Care, access, and equitability are some of the most important things to me. I believe the only way to embody these qualities is through a keen sense of empathy.

As a musician I love to put myself into others’ shoes to see where people are at and assess perspectives from as many angles as I can in order to formulate a truthful story. I take a lot of care to ask people how they’re feeling and what they’re dreaming about - to ask about their ideas about specific situations, ideas, problems, wins and losses, because I want to know. This helps me to understand and color the world from their perspectives.

This film project seemed like it would be extremely challenging in terms of drawing a cohesive narrative, so I thought it would be really fascinating to take on. Besides the challenge of it all, I also think the subject matter is extremely important and relevant to myself coming from my community, which is disproportionately impacted by incarceration and environmental racism, which I have experienced firsthand.

I really look forward to seeing the kinds of bridges we can build with this project.

Brandon Salus (he/him)

Documentary Film Crew (SeaForester) 

Hello. My name is Brandon (I go by Bliss). It is an honor and a privilege to sign on to SeaForester’s Abolition Ecologies film project.

I am excited by Earth Equity’s mission to reduce recidivism, to cultivate just food practices, and to nurture system-impacted communities.

Almost every aspect of society can be questioned – especially by a population which has been (for lack of a better word) failed by the system – or has failed to abide by that system.

Nature holds none of society’s hypocrisy – and therefore offers only perfect truth to highly marginalized peoples.

Daisy Smith (she/her)

Documentary Film Crew (SeaForester) 

My name is Daisy Etta Smith. I am Yurok, Tolowa Dee-ni, and Pomo. I am also a beginning basket weaver and a traditional Pomo dancer. 

Life after any amount of incarceration can be trying, even with a support system.  I see Earth Equity as a new dawn, a new day, and a new beginning. Together, we can make positive change possible in our lives and environment.

Travis Chaney (he/him)

Documentary Film Crew (SeaForester) 

My name is Travis Chaney. I'm a Humboldt County native that has dedicated my life to helping people in their times of greatest need.

I've been a mental health social worker and advocate. I've worked with the highest need populations in order to provide services and resources that enliven and enrich their living experience.

I've worked with diverse populations including the Houseless, at risk youth, those with substance abuse and mental health issues, and individuals who have been involved with the legal system.

I am interested in community efforts to provide better opportunities for disadvantaged populations, especially those dealing with the negative consequences of the prison industrial complex.

I have personally been effected negatively by my own encounters with law enforcement. I'm devoted to finding solutions that involve Restorative Justice allowing for full integration back into society.

Kevin Bruce (he/him)

In-Reach Coordinator

I'm a writer, musician, artist, advocate,  and ally to all. In 2018 (after 35 years inside) I paroled to San Francisco and began working for a fair chance background check company. Two weeks later, I won the Explorer In Residence grant from the California Clean Energy Fund. Through these endeavors, I was able to connect with visionaries empowering social and alternative justice approaches.

I currently collaborate with EE Inside (Earth Equity's Incarcerated Advisory Board) to ensure that the leadership and needs of incarcerated people are central to our work. I also work with nonprofit groups like the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, Urban Alchemy, United Playaz, Initiate Justice, Code Tenderloin, District Commons, The Last Mile, and many more. Sometimes, I go back into prisons to co-teach an immersive course on Entrepreneurship. Lastly, I co-founded the Second Life Project's first community house, Sigil, which houses and supports post-transition long term offenders and young professionals. 

In Prison, my most prized accomplishment was the 22 years I studied and practiced law, in pro per, as a ‘Jailhouse’ lawyer. The most noted case I brought was against Folsom State Prison and their attempt to ban literature to justify their confiscation of Dungeons and Dragons books. This published case, (supported by DnD creator, e. Gary Gygax’s testimony) enriched the community inside.

Nova West (they/them)

Documentary Film Co-Director (SeaForester) 

I am an artist, filmmaker, photographer, and environmental educator from Minnesota. As a National Geographic Explorer, I am working to create more diverse and holistic landscapes for wildlife storytelling.

    My work focuses on visual arts and camera operation, specializing in wildlife and underwater filmmaking. During my career I’ve collaborated with organizations like National Geographic, Discovery, Netflix, Pristine Seas, NOAA, and Ocean Exploration Trust.

I also sail as a Video Engineer and Expedition Documentarian aboard the E/V Nautilus, operating deep-sea ROV camera and broadcast systems while documenting groundbreaking science and exploration operations.

Recently, I released my independent documentary, Diving for Rays, which is available for streaming on Waterbear Network. I am also involved in film festivals, serving as a participant, judge, and panelist. As a long-time board member of the Jackson Wild Queer Collective, I work to create spaces and events for creatives across the globe collaborate.

Ellison Libiran (he/him)

Documentary Film Producer (SeaForester)

I am a multimedia creative fascinated by the way people are telling stories through events and experiences. Growing up in the tropical islands, I had a strong intimacy with nature and folklore. This informed my natural curiosity of our Earth and the people who live in it with intention. A graduate of broadcast journalism, I’ve been in some capacity of professional media for over a decade. In 2014, I co-founded Back Pocket Media, a non-profit company that produces live journalism across the United States. Our goal is to revitalize the media space to have a more human and traditional approach. Something our ancestors have always practiced.

I believe in the compelling force of storytelling and power it can yield. I am a part of Earth Equity because I would like to uplift the voices of those impacted by incarceration and motivated by environmental justice.

More about me

I enjoy old things and new ideas. I like art, poetry, and antiques of all things. I love to cook and break bread with loved ones. My current playground is San Francisco, California.

Email me: Ellison Libiran

Dr. Renée Byrd (she/they)

Documentary Film Producer (SeaForester) 

I’m a Black feminist writer, mom, farmer, poet, artist, altar builder and more. I work as an Associate Professor of English at Cal Poly Humboldt and core faculty in the Environment and Community graduate program. I’m the founder of Earthseed Laboratories and its emerging parent organization, the Institute for Abolition Ecologies.

Prison abolitionist movement building has been at the center of my work going on 25 years. I got started in that work in Oakland with Justice Now, LSPC and Critical Resistance, working with chronically and terminally ill prisoners on medical neglect and abuse, forced sterilization and compassionate release cases.

I work at the intersections of abolition ecologies, healing justice, BIPOC relationships to land, plant humanities and Black Studies. Pieces of my writing can be found in Abolition: A Journal of Insurgent Politics and Social Justice. Janelle Adsit, and I wrote the book Writing Intersectional Identities: Keywords for Creative Writers.

With the Ella Baker Center I produced the film System Failure: Violence, Abuse and Neglect in the California Youth Authority and a short film about the World Social Forum in Mumbai.

Brendan Killeen (he/him)

Documentary Film Producer (SeaForester)

I am a returning student entering Cal Poly Humboldt for a fourth or fifth act of life. I'm disabled, homeless, formerly incarcerated, and am still justice-involved. 

I was the president of the formerly incarcerated students club at College of the Redwoods while attending for the past year. I've been involved in anti-poverty, food security, environmental, and free speech activism since I was 14 years old. 

I'm going into social work with an eye on working in research, policy, and advocacy. I'm the father of a grown son who is also a student, and I have a wonderful dog companion named Darwin.

Aerin Monroe (he/him)

Documentary Film Producer (SeaForester)

I’m a writer, producer, environmental consultant, designer, and land steward of Afro-Latin, Creole and Caribbean descent, raised in Oakland, CA. Since being gentrified out of the Bay Area three years ago, I've been living with my wife and children in Humboldt, CA.

My background is in natural landscaping, organic agriculture, journalism and land management. My work focuses on Afro-Indigenous land practices and stewardship, Climate Justice, sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration and land/food sovereignty for BIPOC communities.

 In 2023, I wrote and produced a docuseries, in collaboration with Save California Salmon, called Sowing Seeds: Racial Justice and the Environmental Movement.

Each episode offers insight into aspects of Environmental Justice by centering Black and Indigenous scientists, educators, and activists all working to bring about positive change within Humboldt County.

This series worked to create awareness of climate issues and provide guidance on how we can work together to ensure healthy ecosystems and equity for communities most severely impacted by climate change and injustice. 

Felix Evans (they/she)

Green Life Facilitator

My name is Felix, and I am a perpetual student of the revolutionaries and liberation movements that come before me. I draw on a range of life experiences to inform my work at Earth Equity, from supporting the frontlines of Indigenous-led water protection camps and Land Back projects, to conducting marine science research on algae in the estuaries of the Atlantic coast.

I am excited about the transformative worldbuilding that is possible at the intersection of knowing the land and earth, and knowing the people in our communities, including those incarcerated in the belly of the beast.

As a mixed-race person of Korean diasporic and eastern european settler descent, I am especially curious about the role of international solidarity in our resistance to the intrinsically connected issues of environmental exploitation, global capitalism and militarization, and the prison-industrial complex. 

Jiajing (all pronouns)

Green Life Facilitator

I work towards building a regenerative and self-sustaining world where all people can realize themselves and their dreams.

At Earth Equity, I am a facilitator that learns and works alongside system-impacted people to generate strategies and scholarship to restore our coastal kelp forests, while also advocating for an abolitionist future.

As a high school educator, I encourage and empower my students to think for themselves and to look for connections between their own lives, their communities, and their world.

As a queer, first-generation Chinese immigrant, I come to Turtle Island with reverence and care, holding the truth of my ancestry and the truth of settler violence as I navigate my role here on Ohlone land.

Having been formally trained as a materials science engineer at MIT, I am excited by opportunities to learn and teach about science in ways that are rooted in real-life application, explicitly justice-oriented, and challenge the reductionist nature of Western science

. On an average day, I can be found biking to the ocean, reading under a tree, or yapping at a community garden.

SJ Harris (they/she)

Green Life Facilitator 

I am a white queer anarchist abolitionist educator. I've worked alongside youth in school gardens across San Francisco for the past 7 years to foster relationships to Land which interrogate and dismantle white supremacy and exploitation.

I sing at least one third of the things I say and am an excellent whistler. I'm about to start my last semester at SFSU studying for a degree in Race and Resistance. While liberation won't come from institutions, I am grateful for the ways this learning has disrupted the dominant and false narratives of the US imperialist agenda in education. I am even more grateful for what I've learned from the comrades I've dumpster dived with to share food with community - and from my unhoused neighbor who gave me tennis lessons and shared stories.

I've been working with Earth Equity to build solidarity and relationship with incarcerated folks as we prepare to co-facilitate an Environmental Justice learning group.  I wholeheartedly believe in our capacity to build worlds beyond incarceration, capitalism, and empire - where we demand collective joy and the recognition of abundance! 

Leslie Bernardino (they/them)

Community Care Specialist

Bienvenidos, mi nombre es Leslie -Welcome, my name is Leslie. I am originally from Los Angeles/Tongva and Chumash Territory.   

Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to advocate for social justice and community care. In my 8 years in Humboldt, I've gained experience responding to the needs and uplifting the voices of a wide variety of community members.

I've collaborated with youth (K-12 and first-gen college students), survivors of Domestic Violence, undocumented folx, and labor rights organizers to achieve goals, access resources, and heal. I'm proudly dedicated to programs that center community care and create resources for those without support.

My passions for abolition and liberation began at HSU, where I studied Criminology & Justice Studies and volunteered for the Juvenile Hall Rec Program. Society is more invested in placing youth into Juvenile Hall than it is in providing educational and recreational services. Reform isn’t possible in a system that only allows incarcerated youth 10 minute supervised showers. 

I'm interested in gaining knowledge about the connection land/sea has with decarceration. I'm excited to gain a larger skillset surrounding liberation and healing through community empowerment.

Erika Siao (she/they)

 Board Member

I am a community builder and researcher who's worked on a variety of issues including homelessness policy, economic development, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ organizing. I got connected to Earth Equity through a friend in the Second Life community, and am very excited to get involved! I'm passionate about elevating marginalized community groups in the climate justice movement, which will be the focus of my upcoming research as an MA student at the UBC Geography Department and Center for Climate Justice. 

More about Me

I am a big fan of hosting elaborate events (ranging from dumpling making to day-long drag competitions); experimenting with different writing projects (currently: personal essays, recent past: short fiction, making a zine); and being in water, in all its varieties (I play water polo, surf, and absolutely love a good spa). Talk to me about whatever brings you joy, and I'll probably be interested! 

Email me: Erika Siao

Qualifications and Experience

Joseph M Krauter (he/him)

 Board Member

Born and raised in California, I’m 40-years-old now; I was incarcerated at the age of 23 and sentenced to 15 years to Life.  

I was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum inside and advocated for myself (the CDCR has no treatments, accommodations, or protocols for people with ASD). I shared my story with others inside and many came to me asking about behaviors they had and stories from their lives; I would help them determine if they might be autistic. This lit a fire in me to help others seeking wellness and a better quality of life and not knowing how to achieve it.

I paroled in 2019 during the pandemic. My reentry was a nightmare that inspired me to advocate for humans reentering society – specifically people needing mental health support. I became an IT technician and a student of creative writing at SFSU. I allied with several non-profit organizations that focus only on helping returned citizens get back on our feet through varied support: pro-social, wellness, higher education, and just the emotional support of someone who understands what we’ve gone through.

Our lives and our futures can only be as bright as we want them to be. I cannot go backwards, there’s nothing left back there worth becoming again.

More About Me:

I’m a gamer geek; love D&D, WOD, MTG and retro video games. I love to draw, paint and, of course, write. In 2024, I became a teacher of creative writing at SFSU.

Email me: Joseph M Krauter

Daniel Paul Nelson (he/him)

 Board Chair

I am the Program Director of the Lakota People's Law Project at the Romero Institute. I oversee all Romero Institute departments and help decide strategic direction for the organization. I have over 15 years of experience as a deputy director, organizer, researcher, and writer. I hold a BA in Political Theory from Harvard College and an MA in Social Science from the University of Chicago. 

Email me: Daniel Paul Nelson

Qualifications and Experience

Patrice Lock (she/her)

Communications 

I have 50 years of experience in administration supporting organizations large and small. I was looking forward to retirement. Due to the state of the earth, I decided to use my skills to help heal our oceans. I selected Earth Equity because this is where my skills will have the greatest impact.

For those of us who are paying attention to what is happening on earth, hope is in short supply. This is why I am so glad I found Earth Equity. It gives me hope for the future of our planet.

For relaxation, I enjoy reading or watching old movies. I also love to embroider because of the way color and shape create beauty as I work

Email me: Patrice Lock

Qualifications and Experience

Julia Dunn (they/them)

Co-Director

I am an Environmental Justice facilitator and organizer. My work exists at the nexus between community care, personal healing, and creative liberation. My practice is grounded in Abolition Ecologies, Lessons from the Ocean, Queerness, Disability Justice, and Play. 

I am dedicated to our work at Earth Equity because we honor and contribute to the vast scholarship and skills of system impacted people. We recognize and reify the urgency of Climate Justice, while honoring the slow and subtle processes of trust and transformation.

I am dedicated to SeaForester because we co-create accessible educational experiences, empower people to cultivate relationships of mutual healing with Land/Sea, and speak to the essential human needs for connection and belonging.

I love to paint, swim through kelp, think about dolphins, and create strange poetry. When I was 11 I made eye contact with whale and immediately burst into tears of joy.

Email me: Julia Dunn