Elija Flores is a GIS Technician working with our science and conservation team to protect and restore habitat for the Yuma Ridgway's Rail.

Elija was formerly a Dangermond Fellow with the National Audubon Society. During her fellowship, she used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to strengthen Audubon's conservation science and empower others through storytelling. Her projects involved spotlighting the Mackenzie Fellowship with story maps, developing wet-dry mapping for riparian habitats to promote species protection, and creating story maps for a variety of initiatives across the Audubon network. Check out her story map illustrating her fellowship experience.

Elija graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in Global Health and a minor in Sustainability, and a master's degree in Geographic Information Systems. Since working on the rail project, she has developed a love and appreciation for wetlands and marshbirds– but hummingbirds are still her favorite.

Articles by Elija Flores

Western Water News

Horseshoe Reservoir: An Opportunity to Restore 

By Elija Flores
September 25, 2023 — Audubon StoryMap explores riverside habitat rehabilitation options within footprint of reservoir on the Verde River 
Western Water News

Leveraging Geographic Information Systems to Promote Collaboration at New Mexico’s Isleta Reach

By Elija Flores
November 18, 2021 — How ArcGIS Hub can be used to communicate projects and goals with partners.
Western Water News

Groundwater Protections Key to Sustaining Water Supplies for People and Birds

By Elija Flores
March 17, 2021 — Storytelling tool highlights the lack of groundwater management in large portions of Arizona.