Kathia Gonzalez is Audubon New Mexico’s GreenStart Intern, a position funded through National Audubon Society’s Maggie Walker Grant. This paid internship pairs young adults with Audubon staff to mentor and train them, providing opportunities to gain essential work experience and develop a connection to Audubon’s conservation initiatives so they can be an advocate in their communities.

Before coming to Audubon NM, Kathia was a wildlife technician for the Forest Service doing seasonal work in the Lincoln National Forest. Her favorite part of the internship so far is working with students, teaching them how to interact with and be one with nature. She also likes letting them know that anyone can be a scientist!

In her off hours Kathia likes to attend movies, relax with a good book on spirituality and personal growth, and hike and explore areas around Santa Fe that are new to her.

Her favorite bird? The Spotted Owl.

Quantina (Quinn) Martine is Audubon’s Water Resource Associate. She worked as a hydrologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Services before coming to Audubon New Mexico. Her job consisted of collecting and recording water data at gaging stations located on wildlife refuges within the Southwest region.  

Quinn has enjoyed meeting all the wonderful people who are partnered with Audubon New Mexico and learning about their efforts in maintaining conservation of habitats for birds and other species.

She spends her time away from work tending to her small garden, canning, taking hikes with her dogs, and taking the occasional fishing trip with her partner. She also loves traveling and trying new foods from around the world. Machu Picchu is on her list to visit within the next year.

Quinn’s favorite bird is the Common Nighthawk. It brings back memories of taking evening walks with her grandma to bring in the sheep. She says, “I would watch them dive and make their booming sounds with their wings. It was always a sight to see so many of them hunting.”