Eliza Eckstein is an undergraduate majoring in biology. Born and raised in New York City, she has a passion for environmental advocacy and has long aspired to extend the connections between the natural world and urban environments. Eliza participates in CCNY’s secondary education program and works as a volunteer education docent at the Prospect Park Zoo. There, she educates the public about the zoo’s animals and the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Her studies have strengthened her passion and inspire her to work to maintain the integrity of the biosphere. She believes that if New Yorkers are taught to recognize their influence on the ecosystem is substantial and fixable, they will make greater efforts to incorporate sustainability into their daily routines. Eliza plans to pursue an M.S. in biology, with a focus on population ecology. She hopes to strengthen her understanding of human interactions with nature and to reveal the applicability of this knowledge to urban communities.