Panda Cub’s Press Agent Says, “I Miss Keene”
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 -Carolyn Martin can watch cheetah cubs play from her office window.
It’s a perk that comes from her job as director of public affairs and communications at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Before that, her position as the press secretary for science for the Smithsonian allowed her to work in the famous Smithsonian Castle facing the National Mall. But despite such unusual surroundings, Martin still misses the sense of community that came from working and living in downtown Keene.
“I feel very connected to the Smithsonian and very proud to be here, but in terms of the city, I miss Keene,” said Martin, who studied at Antioch University and worked as a reporter for the Sentinel from 1996 to 2003. “It’s a beautiful, progressive community and I really enjoyed living there very much.”
Martin, who turned 50 in August, moved to Keene for graduate school in environmental studies at Antioch. Originally from Alabama, she had graduated from the University of Alabama and was a television news reporter in Mobile. While in Keene she met and married her husband, Robert Rand, who now works for the Washington Post Company in Washington, D.C. The two moved to Washington in June of 2003 when Martin was offered an opportunity she said she couldn’t turn down.
“It’s the Smithsonian!” said Martin. “My charge was to promote Smithsonian scientific research. It was a terrific opportunity to learn about all kinds of scientific research going on at the Smithsonian and then write about it and educate my former news colleagues about it.”
However, shortly after she had begun her job as the press secretary for science she received a new job assignment: working for the National Zoo. She began working there in November of 2003 when it was under extreme press scrutiny and was even being examined by the National Academies of Sciences at the direction of Congress after a series of untimely animal deaths. Shortly after her arrival the then-current director of public affairs left and Martin was appointed to the position.
“It was quite a surprise and not what I expected when I left Keene,” said Martin. “It’s pretty cool. I hear all kinds of interesting things sitting here in my office with the windows open.”
On July 9 Martin’s job had a new twist added when Tai Shan, the zoo’s famous giant panda cub, was born.
“Our panda cub is our really big star and he’s just the cutest thing. I have seen him about three times now. He’s not open to the public yet, but in my duties I have had to see him,” jokes Martin. “It’s been terrific!”
It was Martin’s science and reporting background that drew her to the position with the Smithsonian and she has found the zoo very rewarding in that area.
“We have 2,400 animals here – 400 different species, and about a quarter of our animals here are endangered animals,” said Martin. “We’re only one of a few zoos in the country who have science departments. We have scientists on staff here who do a good bit of scientific research for conservation and reproductive science.”
Her scientific knowledge has impressed those who work with her at the zoo. John Gibbons, who works in the public affairs department of the zoo, came to the Smithsonian institution after working with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, a conservation organization in Boston. After speaking with Martin he was pleased with her scientific knowledge and environmental interests.
“We shared a profound scientific and environmental conservatism background,” said Gibbons. “It was wonderful for me to realize right off the bat that Carolyn was coming from a background steeped in science, research, and environmental conservation.”
Martin and her husband still return to Keene to visit friends and family. And they miss events like the Pumpkin Festival. However while Martin does miss her friends and the “sense of connectedness and place” she felt in Keene, she enjoys her job at the zoo.
“It is just a great daily learning experience,” said Martin. “I like a challenge and I’m certainly challenged here.”
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