Bird of Paradise
Ava Martinez
Ava Martinez
Reporter · Buffalo, NY
Ava Martinez has spent over 3 years covering community issues in Buffalo, particularly focusing on social justice initiatives and grassroots movements. With a degree in Sociology from the University at Buffalo, she has a deep understanding of the societal factors impacting local neighborhoods. Ava previously worked as a community organizer before transitioning to journalism.
More from Ava →Reporter · Friday, November 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM · 1 min read
A Bird of Paradise flower, a tropical evergreen perennial native to South Africa, stands out among dark green leaves in the Tropical Room at the Erie County Botanical Gardens on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)