The Napa Valley Climate Connection: Napa college students win environmental scholarships – The Napa Valley Register

Xiara Diaz and Estrellita Gil received their scholarships in a presentation at Napa’s Earth Day Celebration.
Xiara Diaz and Estrellita Gil received their scholarships in a presentation at Napa’s Earth Day Celebration.
Two local students — Xiara Diaz, a freshman at UC Berkeley, and Estrellita (Star) Gil, a student at Napa Valley College — are recipients of this year’s Darcy Aston Scholarship.
The annual scholarship, for which high school and college students can apply, is awarded by the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County (EECNC). This year’s scholarship fund was augmented by a generous donation from Napa Recycling.
Diaz and Gil are daughters of Mexican immigrants and the first generation of their families to attend college. Both are passionate about working to improve the environment and serving as a voice for their community.
Diaz became involved in environmental actions as a junior at Napa High School. She was a Teen Conservation Intern with the Napa County Resource Conservation District, where she made social media graphics, worked on outreach, and helped plan and lead volunteer events in the community.
“I really enjoyed the invasive weed removal volunteer days,” Diaz said. “I liked working outside and getting my hands dirty, where I could see the progress I was making.”
Diaz’s sister recommended that she sign up for the Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet (LEAP) program offered by the Jameson Humane Animal Sanctuary.
“It was honestly one of the best things I have ever done,” Diaz exclaimed. “We learned how to be advocates for animal welfare, climate issues, agriculture systems, wildlife and habitat conservation, and much more. I discovered that I am passionate about the environment’s well-being.”
She was accepted into the Ecosystem Management and Forestry program at UC Berkeley, which includes a hands-on forestry camp. Along with her schoolwork, Diaz makes time to attend weekly meetings of the Cal Forestry Club.
“I’m one of a few people of color in the Club”, she explained. “I get to go back to my Mexican family and community and explain why forestry is important.”
Gil will graduate from Napa Valley College (NVC) with an Associate of Science degree in Environmental Science and an Associate of Arts degree in Anthropology, then plans to transfer to a University of California campus in the fall. She decided on a double major after attending a four-week workshop focusing on the cultural practices and traditional ecological knowledge of the local Mishewal-Wappo people.
Gil explained, “It’s a different approach to conservation and land stewardship that could save the environment! I want to connect current environmental science methods with traditional ecological knowledge and incorporate indigenous practices as part of our conservation efforts.”
At NVC, Gil has been active in several student organizations, and has attended national conferences of the Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native Americans in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
“It was fun to hang out with my peers — first-gen STEM students who are mainly Hispanic — and hear the academic presentations,” said Gil.
At NVC, Gil has launched an Environmental Science Club and resurrected the college’s garden area. The large space has been planted with lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, potatoes, carrots, and spinach. The Club hopes the produce can be used by the Culinary School to prepare food for the College’s Basic Needs Center, which provides free food, clothing, and other supplies for students.
“Being president of the Environmental Science Club has grown my skills at public speaking, navigating bureaucracy, developing a team, and asking for donations,” Gil noted.
Gil has been aware of climate change and its impact on people and the environment since fifth grade.
“I used to think it was entirely up to me to fix the situation,” she said. “But now I know we need to work together as a community.”
In her scholarship application, she wrote: “I want our community leaders not only to acknowledge climate change but to truly understand … its widespread impact. Climate change is not an isolated issue; it affects every aspect of life in Napa County, just as it does globally. It impacts low-income households, field workers, small businesses, and the wine industry.”
Congratulations to Diaz and Gil and best wishes for your academic careers!
Actions You Can Take
Chris Benz is a retired winemaker and co-founder of Napa Climate NOW!
Napa Climate NOW! is a local nonprofit citizens’ group advocating for smart climate solutions based on the latest climate science, part of 350 Bay Area. Info, napa.350bayarea.org
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