Claudia Pineda Tibbs is a first-generation Salvadoran-American, scientist, birder, nature lover, ocean conservationist, and sustainability professional. Claudia’s “Eco Latina” identity and brand came to be as a result of her professional experience as a bilingual science educator and ocean science communicator. Claudia centers her work on the intersection of environmentalism and culture. Claudia strives to increase opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) to develop their own environmental identity and conservation ethic in order to advocate for regional, state, and national environmental justice policies impacting marginalized communities and communities of color.
Claudia has held various community outreach and multicultural education positions along the central coast of California. Claudia received her B.S. in Earth Systems, Science and Policy with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Ecology from the California State University, Monterey Bay. Claudia attributes her passion for environmental advocacy and environmental justice issues to her father, Oscar Morales Pineda. Claudia credits her high school science teacher, Ms. Stevens from South Gate High School with helping her identify her spark for education and communication.