Ashley Portala

Ashley Portala is an experienced environmental professional with a strong background in animal care and natural sciences. Currently serving as the Assistant Manager of Living Collections at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum since June 2019, Ashley previously held multiple roles within the same organization, including Animal Caretaker I and Animal Caretaker II. Prior experience includes working as an Amphibian Field Technician at Lincoln Park Zoo and a Junior Plantsman at Native Landscape Contractors LLC. Ashley's earlier roles feature positions such as Biological Science Technician with the National Park Service, Animal Husbandry Intern at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Urban Agriculture Intern at Loyola University Chicago Institute of Environmental Sustainability, and Environmental Steward at Conservation Legacy. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago, obtained in 2016.