Ashli Gorbet

Guide & Director

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

 

Ashli grew up on the south shores of Lake Erie in Ohio and began her studies of the natural world at an early age. Her grandmother instilled in her a deep love and respect for nature through long walks in the park and talks of wolves and mountains in her grandmother’s homeland of Romania. Ashli’s father taught her the wonder of wildlife with forays into the Rocky River to catch crayfish and observe fish, frogs, and tadpoles. Growing up in the Great Lakes area, it was impossible to ignore birds, but the first time Ashli went birding was during her high school conservation class. Walking through the forest with her teacher she was amazed that someone knew each and every plant and animal they saw. She realized that to her, being a naturalist was one of the most exciting things someone could do with their life.

Ashli received her B.S. in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management from The Ohio State University in 2002. In her professional career she has spent time working with a variety of fauna including insects,amphibians, snakes, lizards, mammals, and of course, birds. Ashli relocated to Albuquerque in 2006 to explore the mountains of New Mexico. She currently serves as the secretary for Rio Grande Bird Research, Inc., is a licensed bird bander, and is the project lead for her Black-throated Gray Warbler research project. Ashli is also the secretary of the New Mexico Ornithological Society and sits on the Steering Committee of the New Mexico Burrowing Owl Working Group.

At her core, Ashli is still that little girl that finds wonder in observing nature, watching animals live their lives, and sharing that wonder with others. Guiding groups of birders and wildlife watchers, beginning and expert alike, is one of her greatest passions.