Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy, River Ecologist at Coastal Watershed Council (Santa Cruz, California). Kaiya is working at the intersection of ecological restoration and human dignity along the San Lorenzo River. Kaiya brings deep personal connection and lived experience to her work. She founded CWC’s River Stewards Program, engaging people experiencing homelessness in hands-on native plant restoration along the San Lorenzo River. Over three years, Kaiya built trust with unhoused participants, transforming the river’s ecology and the broader community’s perception of people experiencing homelessness. Her innovative model has inspired replication, including a new River Stewards program by the City of San Luis Obispo.