We are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Natural History staff at the Ohio Historical Connection, Erin Cashion! Natural History has operated for many years with only one staff member, so we’re very happy to not only add a new curator but to have someone with Erin’s credentials and broad background. She also has the distinction of being the first ever female academic curator in natural history at OHC!
Erin comes to us from Ohio State where she received a Master’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science, and also worked for several years on the Second Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas. She did much of the coordination and editing of this major volume, and also was able to write 9 detailed species accounts. We’re anxiously awaiting the upcoming release of this major undertaking!
But you won’t just find Erin working away at her computer, she also comes to us with a wide variety of field experience. After graduation she worked for 5 years as a seasonal field technician, at locations such as Maine, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hawaii, and Australia! This extensive field experience will be helpful when working at the numerous OHC sites that have a natural history component.
Originally from New Mexico, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from New Mexico State University. Never one to miss out on an opportunity, Erin volunteered her time at the Vertebrate Museum at NMSU where she learned taxidermy to preserve bird skins, and worked in the skeletal collection and fluid-preserved specimen collection.
Erin not only has experience in research, field work, and museum techniques but has abilities in the variety of other areas important in curatorial work such as organizational skills, database management, artistic ability, presentation skills, and working with people. And if you hear a bird call that you don’t recognize, she can tell you what it is! You’ll see her contributions in this blog from time to time, and if you see her at the Ohio History Center or out at one of the sites be sure and say “Hello”!
