Garrett Hays will be a graduating senior at Boise State University, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice and receiving a certificate in Conflict Management.
He was born and raised in Rocklin, California, which is a suburb right above Sacramento. Ever since Garrett was a kid, he has been engaged in outdoor activities with family and friends. Every summer, his family and him would camp all around California to see new places and gain new experiences. From Yosemite to Scotts Flat Lake, every adventure was different, but each shared the same value. He has also participated in the Scouts BSA program for about 12 years and received his Eagle Scout Award in 2015. He was taught to always be considerate of the environment around him and to always leave no trace.
The adventures in Scouts helped him become the person he is today and continue to influence his life on a daily basis. Garrett’s passion for the environment has stemmed from early childhood experiences and continues to grow within him because of opportunities like this. His career goal is to become a conservation officer with a state agency and be on the front lines of the environmental justice movement.
Because he is an Andrus Scholar, he’s able to explore his passion for conservation in the wonderful state of Idaho with the great agency that is Idaho Fish and Game. As he works for Idaho Fish and Game, he hopes to learn more about protecting our environment and teaching others about the importance of the outdoors that surround us. He believes, with knowledge, the next generation of environmentalists have the power to change our Earth for the better.