Hello!
I’m glad you’re here! My name is Aasya and I’m an educator in the conservation field. I’ve taught children about nature and wildlife at organizations like the Dallas Zoo and the National Audubon Society’s nature centers for over four years.
In 2022, I began working on Maritimus. It’s a project that combines a few of my favorite things; wildlife, writing, and teaching.
One of my main inspirations for working in conservation is the depth and complexity of nature. Every aspect of a natural cycle provides benefit, either contributing to the beginning of its own cycle or playing a part in a new one. Every adaptation of a living thing has a purpose it serves, each part woven into our global ecosystem and intricately connected to us, no matter how small.
Maritimus is my written endeavor to teach children just how fascinating the natural world around us is and why it’s so important to protect. I want to share how nature and people are beautifully interdependent and hopefully inspire readers (regardless of their background or interests) to feel more connected to and appreciative of our great planet—and to one day build their lives in ways that nurture it. I hope you’ll come along for the ride!
The Vision
The outdoors often has a natural draw on young children (think very strong passions about dinosaurs, sharks, or horses!) that tends to wear off as they get older. We are normally introduced to nature and wildlife as a world that is separate from our own. We leave our youthful passions behind as they seem to become less relevant to our lives.
My goal for Maritimus is to close the gap between the natural world and our urban lives. From cheetahs in South Africa to backyard owls in Texas, the natural world is intricately linked and as closely connected to us and our well-being as the food on our table and the walls of our homes. Regardless of a reader's background, Maritimus will be an approachable introduction to nature and wildlife, explaining each concept in a fun and relatable way.