By Aidan Vann
Volunteer Engagement Ambassador
Bridgette Bagheri views service as an ongoing commitment to both people and the environment, rather than a series of one-time achievements or grand gestures. Her path into service began early in life, growing up immersed in the outdoors. She spent time gardening with her family, caring for animals, and exploring through hikes, bike rides, and museum visits. These experiences fostered not only a love for nature, but also a deep sense of responsibility toward it.
A turning point came during a fifth-grade outdoor education camp, where Bridgette was introduced to environmental science in a hands-on way. For the first time, she saw how classroom concepts connected to the real world. More importantly, she discovered a deeper motivation—a desire to be helpful and to contribute to something larger than herself. This sense of purpose continued to grow throughout her time at º£½ÇÉçÇø Channel Islands, especially during a trip to Santa Rosa Island.
Her experience on the island was both inspiring and eye-opening. While she felt fortunate to access such a protected and exclusive environment, it also raised an important question: why are spaces like this unavailable to so many? From that moment on, Bridgette’s approach to service became clearer. She wanted to help preserve natural spaces while ensuring others could experience and learn from them as well. She believes that nature should be protected, shared, and recognized by all.
Service in Action: From Trails and Residence Halls to State Parks
After her trip to the islands, Bridgette’s motivation began to take clearer shape. What started as reflection turned into a desire to act—to find ways she could support both the preservation of natural spaces and greater access to them. This led her to join the Trail Corps, where she found a meaningful outlet for her growing commitment to service.
Through her work with the Trail Corps, Bridgette engaged directly with the environment in a hands-on way. Whether clearing brush or restoring pathways, her efforts helped maintain trails so that others could safely experience and connect with nature. While the work could be physically demanding, it also brought moments of quiet fulfillment. Passing hikers and bicyclists would often pause to share their appreciation, small interactions that reinforced the value of what she was contributing. Through these experiences, she came to understand that maintaining trails was not only environmental work, but also a form of service that directly impacts people’s experiences with nature.
At the same time, her academic experience at º£½ÇÉçÇø Channel Islands added another layer to her understanding. In the classroom, she explored complex environmental concepts, but it was through her service that those ideas became tangible. She began to recognize that people are more likely to engage with environmental issues when they can see how they connect to their own lives. This realization became central to her approach—bridging knowledge and lived experience in a way that makes environmental stewardship feel both relevant and personal.
Alongside this, her role as a Resident Assistant offered a different, but equally important, form of growth. While her environmental work focused on caring for natural spaces, this role centered on supporting people. Through it, Bridgette developed her ability to listen, communicate, and respond thoughtfully in challenging situations. She also cultivated emotional awareness, and whether helping coworkers with difficult situations or helping visitors through chaotic moments, she approached leadership with empathy and care. These experiences reinforced for Bridgette that service extends beyond any single role—it is shown in the way you care for and support others.
After graduating in 2024 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Business Management, Bridgette brought these experiences together in her role as a Senior Park Aide at San Buenaventura and Emma Wood State Beaches. There, her earlier reflections on access and inclusion continued to guide her work. She remained mindful of the importance of creating spaces where people of all backgrounds and abilities could feel welcome, supported, and able to engage with the environment.
Her days often required flexibility and a willingness to step into many roles. From maintaining trails and coordinating with her team to assisting visitors and responding to unexpected situations, no two days looked the same. Throughout it all, she carried a consistent mindset—approaching each task, and each interaction, as an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. In doing so, she brought together her commitment to the environment with her dedication to serving others, allowing both to inform and strengthen the other.
Redefining Service and Looking Ahead
What once felt like something that required large-scale impact has become something deeply personal for Bridgette. Service is now an ongoing commitment to stewardship—of both humanity and the natural world. Now working as a recreational leader in San Diego, she continues to share her passion through guided hikes, nature walks, and educational programs.
Her experiences have highlighted the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice, motivating her to continue building both knowledge and hands-on experience. Looking ahead, Bridgette hopes to pursue a career in field biology and potentially graduate studies in environmental or biotechnology law, allowing her to expand her impact even further.
For Bridgette, service remains a constant thread connecting every stage of her journey. Through education, stewardship, and community engagement, she continues to build a path defined not by a single role, but by a lasting commitment to making both people and the natural world more supported, understood, and connected.