For its next monthly program, Sacajawea Audubon Society will host naturalist Ashley Martens for a presentation entitled “Old-Growth Forest Features & the Birds Who Depend on Them”. The event will take place on Monday, March 9th at Hope Lutheran Church. The evening begins at 6:30pm.
All forest stages have an important ecological role to play. The old-growth stage of a forest is especially important because of its structural and functional complexity. Micro habitats, thick bark, and standing dead trees provide food and shelter for many bird species. Martens’ presentation will explore some old-growth forest features and bird species that depend on them in Montana and the greater northwestern United States. Expect some hands-on learning.
photo by Mick Thompson
Ever since hand-feeding chickadees with her grandparents as a young child, Ashley Martens has sought out intimate relationships with nature through both scientific inquiry and mindful nature-connection. After meandering her way through studying the life sciences in her young adulthood, she finally settled on a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Environmental Science, and certifications in teaching yoga, dance, and meditation.
Becoming a naturalist takes time and attention. With experiences ranging from hunting arrowheads in the gullies of high-desert Wyoming as a child, to surveying woodpeckers in the backwoods of north Idaho, to researching seabirds on a remote wildlife refuge island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to reintroducing Mountain Quail in eastern Washington, Martens weaves all of her experiences into her work.
She brings her values of lifelong-learning and community-building forward in her teaching and facilitation. Her approach is to empower your learning journey by guiding you to learn from nature, rather than simply learning about it. She now serves as the Intermountain West regional manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network.
This event is free and open to the public, with donations encouraged. Find additional information at www.sacajaweaaudubon.org.
Sacajawea Audubon Society programs are free and open to the public. The organization’s mission is to build on an interest in birds to promote the conservation of our natural environment through enjoyment, education and action. •
