Join the Xerces Society at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's annual two day festival celebrating our winged and multi-legged friends! Endangered species conservation biologists and Xerces ambassadors will be sharing information about how you can conserve insects through the Pollinator Kit Program, Bumble Bee Atlas, Western Monarch Count, and more! We will have educational activities for all ages, so please visit our table at this family-friendly event!

Learn more and register today!


Giovanni Di Franco - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Pollinator Habitat Specialist - Xerces Society
Giovanni Di Franco joined the Xerces Society in 2024. He is proudly participating in the development of the habitat kit program in southern California to increase pollinator habitats in urban areas in the greater Los Angeles area. He comes with a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Loyola Marymount University and a master's degree from UC Irvine focusing on habitat conservation and restoration practices in coastal sage scrub habitats. Giovanni has spent many years working with digital media and hopes to create creative campaigns to engage locals and community partners in pollinator conservation practices. During his free time, Giovanni enjoys tending to his home native garden and spending time with his tuxedo cat, Charlie.


Sara Cuadra - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Monarch Overwintering Specialist - Xerces Society
Sara Cuadra (she/her) is a conservation biologist based in Southern California who provides guidance to local land managers and stakeholders to preserve and restore monarch overwintering sites. She also supports Xerces staff and the community in the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. Sara found her grounding in ecology at Cal State Long Beach, where she earned her undergraduate degree in organismal biology. She also holds a master’s degree from UC Irvine, where her capstone work examined the effect of functional traits in coastal scrub plants on biodiversity at multiple trophic levels. Before joining Xerces in 2023, she worked with several organizations in the Los Angeles-Orange County area to restore coastal habitats and engage with the community through environmental education. Outside of work, Sara enjoys record collecting, rock climbing, and going for nature walks.

Join the Xerces Society at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's annual two day festival celebrating our winged and multi-legged friends! Endangered species conservation biologists and Xerces ambassadors will be sharing information about how you can conserve insects through the Pollinator Kit Program, Bumble Bee Atlas, Western Monarch Count, and more! We will have educational activities for all ages, so please visit our table at this family-friendly event!

Learn more and register today!


Giovanni Di Franco - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Pollinator Habitat Specialist - Xerces Society
Giovanni Di Franco joined the Xerces Society in 2024. He is proudly participating in the development of the habitat kit program in southern California to increase pollinator habitats in urban areas in the greater Los Angeles area. He comes with a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Loyola Marymount University and a master's degree from UC Irvine focusing on habitat conservation and restoration practices in coastal sage scrub habitats. Giovanni has spent many years working with digital media and hopes to create creative campaigns to engage locals and community partners in pollinator conservation practices. During his free time, Giovanni enjoys tending to his home native garden and spending time with his tuxedo cat, Charlie.


Sara Cuadra - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Monarch Overwintering Specialist - Xerces Society
Sara Cuadra (she/her) is a conservation biologist based in Southern California who provides guidance to local land managers and stakeholders to preserve and restore monarch overwintering sites. She also supports Xerces staff and the community in the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. Sara found her grounding in ecology at Cal State Long Beach, where she earned her undergraduate degree in organismal biology. She also holds a master’s degree from UC Irvine, where her capstone work examined the effect of functional traits in coastal scrub plants on biodiversity at multiple trophic levels. Before joining Xerces in 2023, she worked with several organizations in the Los Angeles-Orange County area to restore coastal habitats and engage with the community through environmental education. Outside of work, Sara enjoys record collecting, rock climbing, and going for nature walks.

Get ready to flutter your wings and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of butterflies at the Bay Area Butterfly Festival 2024! This is a family-friendly community festival with fantastic bands and performers, food trucks offering a variety of cuisines, free kids games and activities, talented artisans selling sustainable wares, butterfly conservation workshops and more! The Xerces Society will give a talk about protecting monarch overwintering sites in the Bay Area from 3-4pm. Join us in the celebration!

Learn more and register today!


Isis Howard - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Western Monarch Community Science - Xerces Society
As an endangered species conservation biologist, Isis works in California to protect and support the western population of monarch butterflies. She manages several community science projects, including the annual Western Monarch Count and the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, and provides support to land managers and the public on maintaining and restoring western monarch breeding habitat. Prior to joining Xerces, Isis worked for a resource conservation district and the North Coast Soil Hub, advancing climate adaptation work in the agricultural sector, engaging diverse community partners, and expanding the RCDs' western monarch and pollinator program. Originally from Sonoma County, CA, Isis is an experienced outdoor educator and holds a bachelor's degree in environmental management and protection with a minor in biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In her free time, Isis enjoys listening to podcasts, trying new creative outlets, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.