Born with an insatiable curiosity and an innate connection to the natural world, Isabelle “Izzy” Cassio’s short journey was guided by a deep love for animals, nature, and adventure.
From her earliest days, she found solace in the embrace of the great outdoors. She spent her life exploring the world with her family, taking photos with her friends, and never missed a moment to appreciate the natural world.
Izzy’s pursuit of knowledge led her to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree from UC Santa Barbara, double majoring in Environmental Science and Anthropology, with a focus in film and media studies. Her mission was to spread awareness and education on wildlife and environmental issues, using the universal language of stories and photography.
Among other pursuits, Izzy was interested in a PhD program at UC Berkeley in Anthropology. Unfortunately, the program stopped accepting new students when the pandemic hit.
Izzy had a deep love for music, including many genres, played several instruments, and never missed an opportunity to dance at a music festival or discover a new local artist while working at the Harlows music venue in Sacramento.
Izzy had many friends and was always “there” for those she loved. Making friends came easily to her and she had a gift for nourishing friendships.
Izzy was a great chef who used recipes for inspiration, but not for hard direction. For her, the joy of cooking came from creativity.
Tragically, Izzy’s journey was cut short in 2022 when she lost her life in a devastating car accident. Izzy’s Animal Rescue Festival pays tribute to the environmentalist and animal lover that Izzy was and will always be.