Last updated: October 29, 2020
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Spotlight | River Ambassador- Ashley Konon
Ashley Konon is an avid outdoors person, spending the maximum amount of time in nature she can, searching out the perfect photo and sharing her love of the river. The Wekiva River System provides endless opportunities to explore nature, right in the heart of Central Florida.
"To me, the river is all-encompassing. No matter your interest or background, there is something you will enjoy. If you like photography, there are multitudes of animals, scenery, and plant life for fodder. If you are interested in charismatic animals, we have bears and turtles galore. If you like insects and water quality, we have macroinvertebrate samples. If you enjoy relaxing and communing with nature, the Wekiva provides ample opportunities for that as well. The Wekiva is a place where people have come together for centuries, and my goal is to share this special place with others so that they can love and cherish it as the essential resource it is. "
Ashley's background is diverse, starting in the animal care field as a vet tech and zookeeper, she learned that she finds great joy in communicating science to a diverse audience. When she moved to Florida, she became a kayak tour guide where she could share her knowledge with hundreds of people a year, rather than just her very patient family (who are now naturalists by association). As River Ambassador, Ashley utilizes her varied skill set to help with research, provide science communication in various forms, and spend as much time on the river as possible!