Ashley Gary
Ashley Gary is an American science communicator and co-organizer for #BlackBirdersWeek.
Early life[edit]
Gary became interested in birds after watching Sir David Attenborough's "Life of Birds."[1] As a child, Gary recalls loving wildlife and considering a career related to nature by the time she entered sixth grade.[2]
Gary holds a bachelor's degree in Art History and was enrolled in a master's program in environmental science and policy, but did not finish that degree.[3]
Career[edit]
At age 29, Gary took an environmental film course at American University, which inspired her to create her Instagram and Twitter page, @thewildlifehost.[4] Both accounts focused on environmental and wildlife education, posting educational content each day.[3]
Gary is a member of Black AF in Stem, an organization of black STEM professionals who created the #BlackBirdersWeek program and hold other ornithology related events.[5] Gary went birding with a group for the first time in 2019 with Jason Ward and Tyus Williams.[1] She cites this experience as inspiration for her involvement with #BlackBirdersWeek.[6] In an interview with the National Audubon Society, Gary remarked, "Going birding with a group of people, especially a group of Black friends, it changed my whole view of birding."[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "#BlackBirdersWeek: Celebrating and Encouraging Diversity in Conservation". www.smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "Meet Your Wildlife Host". Know The Place Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b "Conversations with the Inspiring Ashley Gary - Voyage ATL Magazine | ATL City Guide". voyageatl.com. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "Moth Night Discovery Kit 2020" (PDF). Staten Island Museum. 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ "Black Birders Week Is Back in 2023". Birds and Blooms. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b "'Black Women Who Bird' Take the Spotlight to Make Their Presence Known | Audubon". www.audubon.org. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2023-06-27.