Welcome, Wuillam Urvina!

Hello! My name is Wuillam Urvina (he/him/él), and I am excited to join the Choose Clean Water Coalition as the Equity and Outreach Specialist. I'm eager to work with Coalition members and staff to place people at the heart of the fight for clean water.

I grew up in Laurel, Maryland, where trees and streams were scarce. Despite that, I spent much of my childhood exploring the neighborhood creek and learning to swim in one of the Bay's tributaries—nothing quite prepares you for swimming like a river! My love for the outdoors grew from my natural curiosity and the stories my parents shared about their homeland, 2,000 miles away in El Salvador. Images of beautiful beaches and towering volcanoes filled my imagination, but I soon realized that Maryland had its own kind of nature.

Enjoying a beautiful day at Puerta del Diablo in Panchimalco, El Salvador.

At the University of Maryland, College Park, I finally got the chance to dive deeper into that childhood curiosity. I earned a BS in Environmental Science and Technology and a BA in Spanish Language and Literature. During my time at UMD, I interned with the Chesapeake Bay Program, analyzing water quality data and translating climate advisory posters.

After graduation, I worked as a Bilingual Outreach Assistant with the Chesapeake Conservancy, where I collaborated with state park rangers to provide translation and interpretation services for Spanish-speaking visitors. Before joining the Coalition, I served as an Environmental Management Staffer at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office, working with the Diversity, Protected Lands, and Public Access workgroups.

Outside of work, I love being in nature, traveling, and learning new languages.

In my role at the Choose Clean Water Coalition, I'm eager to collaborate with our members to achieve our shared goals and continue the fight for clean water. Many people depend on us, and I'm grateful to everyone in the Coalition for their commitment!