Rev Up 2026

Ashley grew up along Monterey Bay in Aptos and the outdoor world has always been a large part of her life, especially the ocean. She brought this passion for the underwater world to California State University Monterey Bay where she earned a degree in Marine Science. While there, Ashley also earned her scuba diving certification and volunteered with the Sea Otter Research Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is also the time she was introduced to interpretation in California State Parks. She spent the summers at New Brighton and Seacliff State Beaches running the visitor centers and leading campfire and Junior Ranger programs. Ashley then attended graduate school at Stony Brook University where she earned her Master of Arts in Marine Conservation and Policy. Through this program, she was introduced to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and spent a summer analyzing MPA Watch data to draft a proposal for a docent program in a rocky intertidal area in Bolinas, CA, which was accepted by the city of Marin! She brought her new knowledge back to Seacliff State Beach and now Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and has been sharing MPA messaging with visitors of all ages. During her CA State Parks PORTS programs, she connects students virtually to the wonder of  the kelp forest live from a kayak. When not at work, you can find her volunteer diving at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, hanging out with her cat, Calypso, playing tennis, and cooking.