BEC Staff
Meet our small but mighty team of environmental educators and advocates!Consider becoming a member of BEC to help sustain the momentum of our grassroots organization.
Patrizia Hironimus
Executive Director
Patrizia (she/they) was born in Peru, and raised in occupied Kojomk’awi (Konkow) land in Northern California, so-called Oroville. She culminated her studies at UC Berkeley – their thesis combined Clinical Psychology, Medical Anthropology, and Political Science, as well as a minor in the Practice of Art. Previously, they managed the office of Butte County Supervisor Debra Lucero, working with Butte County department heads, local non-profits, constituents, and stakeholders on policy for food sovereignty. She’s also served on the Camp Fire Restoration Project Board of Directors, and is active with Butte County Local Food Network. Her areas of social activism include BIPOC equity, racial justice, agrovoltaics, trauma informed therapy, carbon-smart commodities, and seed banking. Patrizia and her pup Sassafras can be found surveying local aquifers this summer or at the farmers markets connecting with certified producers about key issues like drought & wildfire relief. Their passion is food, mutual aid and connecting innovative makers.
Miranda Kokoszka
Assistant Director
Miranda was born and raised in San Diego, California, where she spent much of her free time exploring the outdoors—whether at the beach, climbing trees, or off on a new adventure. In 2019, she relocated to Northern California to pursue her education and a new chapter in life. She earned a B.S. in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management with an emphasis in Natural Resource Management from Chico State in 2021.
Miranda's career in urban forestry began during her undergraduate studies, when she served as the Urban Forest Coordinator Intern at BEC, organizing residential tree planting events. This experience ignited her passion for trees and advocacy for the environment. Today, Miranda is the Assistant Director, an ISA Certified Arborist, and is actively working toward her goal of becoming a professional Urban Forester.
California Climate Action Corps Fellows
Emily McCabe
Emily (she/her) was born and raised in Durham, California. At a young age, she grew to love reading and writing, which led her to serve as Editor for the Yearbook and Newspaper in high school. She attended UC Berkeley for college, where she discovered a passion for the environment. Emily majored in Society and Environment, learning about climate change and sustainability. During undergrad, she worked for an environmental education nonprofit, Turning Green, where she led the Campus Representative Program. She also interned for Environment America, where she spent a summer advocating for climate policy in California. In her free time, Emily enjoys yoga, hiking, cooking, creating art, and of course, writing.
Sage Reardon
Sage Reardon (she/her) was raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii where she spent a lot of her time outside chasing dopamine- from surfing in the ocean, to cliff jumping off waterfalls. In her younger years, she volunteered a lot of her time with the Sierra Club, attending activist events or taking care of the land– from taro planting, to beach cleanups, to removing invasive plant species. In 2017, she attended Cal Poly for college, where she obtained her B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection with an emphasis on Earth and Soil Science.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she continued her career in managing organic certifications and leading outdoor education programs. In her free time, Sage loves practicing yoga, meditating, reading, cooking, and pulling angel cards by the water—activities that help her stay centered as she focuses on healing her inner world to help heal our outer environmental world. During her fellowship, she hopes to build connections and bridges between educational ecology, regenerative agriculture, and her passion for healing.
Max (they/them) was born in Seattle and raised in El Centro, California. They came to Chico in 2020 to study Animation before pivoting to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. Growing up in the Imperial Valley gave Max first-hand experience with the effects of extreme heat and the uneven impact of climate change and pollution on disadvantaged communities; creating a passion for environmental justice, equity, and education. Throughout their time at Chico State, they became involved with the Sustainability Affairs Council, and worked with other students to get an advisory bill on sustainability passed with a 97% success rate. During their time at Butte Environmental Council, they hope to improve their communication and community building skills, with a focus on working on climate communication and education. In their spare time, Max likes to draw, play cozy games, and bake for their friends and family. Currently trying to make the perfect tres leches cake.
Valeria Cisneros
Valeria (she/they) hails from the ancestral lands of the Chumash people, now known as San Luis Obispo County. They moved to Chico in 2020 to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design and have been exploring their creative voice through crafting and music ever since. If you need a music playlist, feel free to reach out! A lifelong learner, Valeria actively engages with their community, absorbing knowledge and gifts from those around them. They plan to join CCAC to develop community-building skills and become a leader who fosters safe spaces for others to learn and grow, emphasizing empathy and acceptance without shame or judgment. Valeria’s passion for climate advocacy allows them to connect with both people and nature, enabling them to show up for themselves and others in the best way possible.