California walnut woodlands are endemic to Southern California and persist within the highly urbanized landscape of Los Angeles County. For her master's thesis at Cal State LA, Natasha Khanna-Dang conducted a bird foraging study within this plant community. She will share her findings on the importance of California walnut woodlands to foraging birds, and discuss how ecological research can intersect with both conservation and social justice. This work was directly inspired by the anti-gentrification efforts of community groups affiliated with Takaapeʼ Washuut Black Walnut Day in Northeast Los Angeles. Natasha and her research advisor Dr. Eric Wood recently published their research in the Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences journal. Click here to read their article. 

Natasha Khanna-Dang works as an environmental biologist based out of Los Angeles, California.  She completed her Master of Science degree in Environmental Science at Cal State LA in 2024. She worked and studied in Dr. Eric Wood's Lab of Avian and Urban Ecology. Natasha is also an environmental educator and develops environmental justice and urban ecology education programs in her community.

The meeting will be presented online at this link.