About Me

I'm Ashley, The Dabbler

The beginning

Growing up, I was introduced to being a merit badge counseler through the Venturing program through what is now known as Scouting America. I found myself drawn to the Outdoor Skills area where scouts learned navigation, ax and knife safety, fire starting, knots, and geocaching. This summer job introduced me to the concept of outdoor education and what I dreamt my future profession could be!

Through Western Illinois University, I earned both my Bachelors and Masters in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration, currently called Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Hospitality. Studying the importance of leisure, therapeutic recreation, experiential education, and activity plan creation added to my skills, and set me on my professional journey with a growth mindset!

Cutting my teeth in environmental education and non-profit work

The life of an environmental educator and working with non-profits is full of part time and seasonal opportunities, and I am honored to say that I have landed full time opportunites in my field of study. Sometimes it feels like you are working three jobs and balancing at least 11 different hats on your head! The fast paced, service minded, passion drivin experiences I had in my 20's and early 30's were so foundational to my being, and I am thankful for every last one of them. Here is a list of the programs that have shaped me into who I am today:

Scouts BSA- Illowa Council and serving with two World Scout Jamborees
Horn Field Campus at Western Illinois University
Environmental, Conservation, and Outdoor Education Expedition through WIU (E.C.O.E.E. 2010 & 2017)
Wapsi River Environmental Education Center with Scott County Conservation, IA
Lorado Taft Field Campus for Northern Illinois University in Oregon, IL
Ames County Conservation, IA
McHenry County Conservation, IL
Prairie Hills RC&D/ Prairie Land Conservancy/ Macomb Community Garden, IL
Osprey Wilds Environmental Education Center, MN

Cleaning, carding, spinning, dyeing, and creating with wool

Naturalist hikes

Rare plant monitoring

Gardening

Current Season of My Life

In September of 2024, my world was shook and I was forced to expand my definition of what success looked like. If I can't work in my field of study, then I can apply all the skills I've learned along the way to truly feel like I'm valuing my family, build my community, and eventually build my own business! Along the way I have built amazing friendships, have found a fabulous new career as a florist, and have become more active then I have ever been in my local community.

Since September, I have been flinging myself into the unknown, embracing the chaos, saying "yes" where my heart flutters and "no" when I feel like I'm being pulled too thin. For the first time in my adult life, I feel like I'm fulfilling my own mission, and I am thrilled that you are joining me on that journey.

The ceiling of my daughters room, created with her collaboration

Foraging for paint materials in my community

The spark of creation has returned to my life

Experiential education can happen ANYWHERE!

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