Dillon Hanson-Ahumada

Dillon Hanson-Ahumada grew up in Omaha, Nebraska alongside two older siblings and his mother. Dillon recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with majors in Environmental Studies, and Fisheries & Wildlife. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to work in the field of conservation, and as he grew, his passion for conservation was solidified once he began to see and understand the many issues that our planet is facing. From that moment on, he knew that he wanted to make a difference however he could. Dillon is interested in finding solutions to human/wildlife conflicts and promoting conservation through any outlet he can find. 

While at his University, Dillon began to take advantage of resources and opportunities to pursue his passion. Among tons of amazing classes and opportunities Dillon was able to: study wildlife conservation abroad in Botswana for a summer, participate in an AmeriCorps program with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska, become president of his school's UNICEF club and help advocate for the protection of children's rights, and mentor a group of young men during their first year of college. Some work opportunities prior to becoming a Ray Fellow included: working on sustainability issues for the public-school system in Lincoln, NE, and being a part of the Climate and Energy team within The Wilderness Society. 

Dillon is a senior Ray Fellow and was a part of cohort 4 & 5. During his fellowship he was based in San Francisco with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). He is currently with the Endangered Species Coalition based in Denver, CO. In his free time Dillon enjoys camping and hiking, exploring new places, wildlife photography, and meeting new people.