Ayla got her conservation start in college, graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with undergraduate degrees in Marine Biology and Spanish. After graduation, she decided to continue her studies at UNC Wilmington to earn a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies. In her professional experiences, Ayla enjoys connecting with diverse people in purpose-driven work. Ayla is new to Western North Carolina and is excited to join AmeriCorps Project Conserve to learn more about the great organizations doing conservation work in this area. Her host site, Hemlock Restoration Initiative, is the perfect place to synthesize her skillset to engage people in fostering healthy forest ecosystems. In her free time, you can find Ayla cross stitching, exploring new trails in Western North Carolina, or trying to perfect her chocolate chip cookie recipe!