What’s your name and what fills your time?
Ava Easterling, Freshman at FSCJ and I’m obsessed with BUGS!
Anything special going on for this summer?
This Summer I’ve been visiting preschools and museums to educate people about bugs. My goal is to dispel fears associated with bugs and instill a fascination with how important they are to our future.
Any hobbies or interests worth telling us about?
I started out being focused on forensic science. When I went to study at the CSI academy in Alachua FL I discovered my love for forensic entomology. (How investigators tell time of death due to the bugs involved in the Crime scene investigation)
What’s one thing (funny, different, cool) that many might not know about you?
I started out keeping leopard geckos as pets but became mesmerized with the crickets that I used to feed the reptiles. They were way more interesting. I won a contest at The Univ of FL 4-H Entomology Field Camp and the prize was a rare live tarantula. Of course I was thrilled!
How do you like living on the First Coast?
I’m a third generation Floridian. My family has been in North East Florida since the 1940s (before air conditioning) This is the ideal environment for bug catching. AND…. The University of Florida has one of the best Entomology departments in the world. Many Court cases around the country will request experts from the UF Department of Entomology to be expert witnesses to some high profile murder cases. I want to be one of those expert witnesses one day. I really enjoy the diversity of life in our Florida ecosystem. I am amazed by our environment every day. Insects play a very important role in the future of human survival.
Anything else that you would like to tell the community?
I now offer “Buggy Birthday Parties” educational “Bug Zoos” for museums and schools and offer presentations on the importance of Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps). Book now by calling 904-502-9385 or jprice@standfastic.com
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
