You will often find her in a large sun hat sharing her passion for the outdoors with students, hugging all of the trees, and helping out wherever needed. Get to know Ashleigh in our staff spotlight series.
How long have you worked at the Alice Ferguson Foundation?
I started in the fall of 2019 and was let go in April 2020 due to the pandemic. I was hired back in spring of 2021 as in-person programs resumed.
What do you do at AFF?
I am an environmental educator and on occassion, help out with the farm chores.
What did you do before coming to AFF?
Before joining the team as an environmental educator, I was a stay at home mom.
Why do you love working at AFF?
I love LOVE working with children and I love being outside. I feel very passionate about combining the two. There is nothing more real and innocent than childhood, so letting them be wild and free outside goes along with their natural state. Educators of children have a big influence over who they will be when they grow up. Therefore I feel my job is so important to teach them to love the earth not only environmentally speaking but also because I feel there is true lifelong happiness in appreciating the little things like a bee buzzing from flower to flower or the dew on a spider web.
What is your favorite spot on the property?
This is a hard one. Our property is truly one of a kind. There are so many good spots. I love the meetings we’ve had under the trellis by the Farmhouse. And I love the sit downs I’ve had with other moms during Nature Nuts. But I’ve also laid down in the middle of the pasture with Opal.
I think I like our barnyard between the tool museum and the barn. It reminds me of bringing my son, Jake to Spring Fest when he was about 3 years old. There was an old banjo band there and he was loving the animals.
What do you do in your free time away from AFF?
In my free time my husband, son and I like to go on adventures. We do a lot of hiking to look for shed antlers or shark teeth. In the winter we snowboard as much as possible – all 3 of us! Some other activities I enjoy include gardening, paddleboarding, and taking our RV on new adventures!
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Snowboarding in the winter and laying on the beach during the summer.
Why do you feel it’s so important to educate others about the environment?
Check out my reason for why I love working at AFF above. <3