Channing Mena is a Houston native with a BS in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Texas A&M Galveston. Prior to starting at Houston Audubon, she worked at the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center locally and Artist Boat in Galveston. She is excited to continue to be a part of the Greater Houston nonprofit community, blending coastline and urban ecosystems. Channing is a young birder passionate about protecting all wildlife through conservation education, and when possible, teaching science through art. She spends her free time paddle boarding with her husband or reading at home with her cats.
Channing answered a few questions so we can get to know her better.
1. What was your first experience connecting to nature (that you can remember)?
Growing up with a backyard connecting to Rummel Creek, my twin sister and I would always hop the back fence and go exploring for as long as possible, pretending to be all kinds of creatures. We grew up always wanting to run around outside, making up new names for each crawling, walking, and flying creature we saw. This was expanded when visiting Galveston salt marshes to go seining and meet new marine creatures.
2. What are you most excited about in your new role?
I am excited to be back outside in nature! While I do know a lot of birds, plants and wildlife, I know there is still a lot to learn. Surrounded by experts, I am thankful for the opportunity to ask more questions and learn more species while adding more lifers to my eBird list! I love inspiring newbies to be excited about nature. Teaching kids and students of all ages is my lifelong passion and connecting them with nature by physically getting outside is the perfect classroom. I love any excuse to visit Galveston and Bolivar; I’m ready to visit all of the Houston Audubon sanctuaries.
3. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
While I loved running and pole vaulting in high school, I have never been very interested in playing or watching sports. Board games on the other hand, now that’s a good hobby! Every time I see my family, we play all kinds of new board games like Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, and Rummikub. My favorite board game is obviously Wingspan, but my husband might get sick of losing too often so we swap to fast paced card games.
4. Who is your favorite author?
This is tie between my two favorite genres of romantic fantasy and epic fantasy, so I could never decide between Brandon Sanderson or Sarah J. Maas. The Throne of Glass series broke and remade my heart so many times it could never not be my favorite. However, as a kid growing up on Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, I knew I needed to get into the Stormlight Archives as an adult, and reading epic fantasy is the perfect transportation to a new world!
5. What are your hobbies?
I love reading and art. I started out as a detailed abstract sharpie artist, then moved on to landscapes with watercolor, and I am now branching into using oil pastels and Prismacolor pencils. As the daughter of a librarian, I was raised to love reading and (physical) books, especially romantic fantasy. I also enjoy collecting keychains from all the museums and nature trails I visit. When I have the time, I will also work on a puzzle or two.
6. What’s your favorite animal?
While the Belted Kingfisher is my favorite bird, bats will always hold a special place in my heart. I don’t have a favorite species of bats, but I hope to change people’s fears of bats through education.
7. What’s your favorite holiday?
My favorite holiday is New Years! I love embracing change and new growth, and partying at midnight is the best time to do it.
8. What’s your favorite movie?
As much as I love oldies staring Audrey Hepburn or movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock, my favorite movie is The Princess Bride. I am a big reader so I’m usually disappointed in movie renditions of books, but this one captured everything perfectly. Westly is the greatest knight-in-shining-armor there is!
9. What was your favorite subject in school?
Always science! Biology and aquatic science were my high school favorites before I could take specialized college classes like coastal ornithology and coastal plant ecology. I am a college oddball though, because I did also enjoy and tutor organic chemistry.
10. What celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Hank Green is one of the coolest people ever. I would love to meet him and pick his brain about all the science things. Growing up with the same last name as him inspired me to pass on a love of science to anyone I talk to.
Please join us in welcoming Channing to the team and be sure to introduce yourself if you see her around the cabin at Edith L. Moore!
Houston AuduBlog 
Welcome and looking forward to meeting you.
LikeLike