We’re excited to welcome the newest member of our team, Christine Wehrli! Christine first got into birding during the pandemic, as it made her daily walks much more interesting. Her spark bird was a Black-bellied Whistling Duck. Prior to joining Houston Audubon, she worked in a variety of fields, including sustainable tourism, library services, and academia. Having grown up overseas in countries that include Bangladesh, Germany, and Thailand, Christine identifies as a Third Culture Kid. As an active member of the community, she is currently the Cultural Heritage Director for the Filipino Young Professionals of Houston and a Volunteer Deputy Registrar for Harris County. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, watching theater, traveling, reading, and dancing. Read on to learn more about Christine!
1. What is your favorite bird?
I have a tough time answering this question – there’s so many that come to mind for me! Snowy Egrets stand out for me because of their display calls, which I saw described online as a “deranged turkey”. These sounds crack me up and I love hearing them every spring at High Island or along walks on Boulevard Oaks. I also really enjoyed seeing Laysan Albatrosses in Hawaii; they’ve got a stern, regal look, a very fun courtship dance, and the females will often partner up to raise their young.
2. What are you most excited about in your new role?
As someone who has followed Houston Audubon’s work for the past few years and benefitted from their spaces and programs, it’s exciting to now be on the inside and to be able to use my creativity and skills to bring this same joy to others. Having a ‘birding lens’ to view the world has been a game changer for me, and I really look forward to sharing this with others. I’m also excited to connect with the individuals and organizations doing conservation work in the Houston area.
3. What was your favorite vacation?
One of my favorite vacations to date was a two-week trip to Colombia. I traveled to attend a friend’s wedding, and then was able to explore several different regions with friends and family. I did a biking tour in Bogota, hiked among wax palms in Cocora valley, learned all about the coffee process in Quindio, danced in a salsa club in Cali, and stuffed my face with fresh fruits and pan de bono (a type of cheesy bread) in Cartagena.
4. What is one of your favorite books?
One of my favorite books is “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker. Priya provides an approachable and useful framework for how to have meaningful, intentional gatherings. This book gave language to a lot of the things I’ve thought about when planning events, and also challenged me to think differently.
5. What are your hobbies?
Theater, board games, and dance are currently at the top of this list. I enjoy checking out the local Houston theater scene – from plays in the intimate space of the Rec Room to grandiose musicals at the Hobby Center. In terms of board games, I have over 45 different ones in my collection at home and often have board game nights with friends. I also do Filipino folk dance with the FYP Cultural Ambassadors, and we perform at a variety of events all over Houston.
6. What is your favorite cuisine or dish?
While I seek diversity in the dishes I eat, if I had to pick a favorite cuisine it would be Korean food. I especially enjoy Korean BBQ and I love the side dishes (banchan), as I get to eat something different in every bite.
7. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
I would want Priyanka Chopra to play me. Some people have mistaken me for Indian, and as a fan of Bollywood movies, I would be thrilled if she could bring some of that energy into the movie of my life.
8. Do you collect anything?
I collect magnets from the places I visit, as they’re a cheap and easily-portable souvenir. I have magnets from Texas State Parks, National Parks, museums, and a variety of different cities and countries. Each one holds a special memory for me, and they’re also good conversation starters for when friends come over to visit.
9. How many languages do you speak?
I speak one language fluently (English), and am conversational in French and Spanish. I can also speak what I call “Taxi Thai” – enough to get around and maybe do some basic shopping. In the past, I’ve also studied Arabic, Swahili, and German.
10. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I’m definitely an extrovert! I moved around every 3-4 years as a kid, so making friends quickly was a good skill to have. I love learning about peoples’ backgrounds and what they are passionate about.
Please join us in welcoming Christine to the team, and be sure to introduce yourself if you see her at a Houston Audubon program.
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