Ashley Medina was born in Texas and has lived in Lewiston, Maine, since she was three years old. She is a proud mom of two teenagers and serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Maine Community Integration. Ashley is passionate about using her lived experiences to advocate for positive change in her community. With strong ties to her Indigenous roots, she finds deep healing in nature, reflecting the values of her ancestors who respected and cared for the Earth. Ashley loves nature and is dedicated to learning as much as she can to advocate for the conservation of Maine’s forests. In her role, she works closely with inner-city youth, helping them access the outdoors and encouraging them to explore the environment, learn about wildlife, and experience the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits that come with connecting to nature.