Ashley Herrin has been named assistant county ranger for Sampson County’s Forest Service team.

She graduated from North Carolina State University last May with a degree in fisheries and wildlife conservation biology, and moved to Clinton with her fiancé Christian Gagnon in March of this year.

Herrin is originally from Charlotte and has always been passionate about the outdoors and natural resources. From an early age she spent much of her time in the woods hiking and trying to spot her favorite wild animals and trees. Throughout her time in school she enjoyed various jobs as a teaching assistant, tutor, research technician, and wildlife inventory assistant. Since graduation she has spent time helping with deer and quail research for the University of Georgia, and as an environmental educator in South Carolina.

She was officially sworn into her position March 27 by Dwight Williams, and since then has started her training to manage the county’s forests responsibly, and to participate in wildfire control efforts, Herrin said that she’s excited for this opportunity, and can’t wait to work with as many of the county’s citizens as she can.