People

Aurora Cortes was born and raised in Santa Ana, CA. Growing up, she worked with her dad, un jardinero, and helped weed plants, rake debris, and mow the lawn. Aurora went on family camping trips to the Angeles National Forest. She celebrated many birthdays with her family amongst the trees, in the snow, and under the stars. As she grew older, she loved listening to stories that her mom and dad shared from their own experiences back home in Mexico from el ahijadero and la florenia. All the family stories and childhood experiences planted the seed of adventure and love for the outdoors for Aurora.

I’m an educator with a passion for environmental geography and sustainability. I currently teach college-level courses, including Environmental Geography and Physical Geography at Eastern Kentucky University, where I focus on the importance of environmental literacy, engaging students with real-world examples at various geographic scales and hands-on learning experiences. Growing up in Seoul and now living in Lexington, KY, I’ve seen firsthand how environmental issues affect different communities, which inspires my work in environmental education and advocacy. Outside of teaching, I enjoy exploring nature and spending time with family and friends.  

I am an Iowa State Univeristy graduate. Have been the naturalist for Plymouth County Conservation in northwest Iowa since 2005. I enjoy connecting people with nature.