Conservation

* Where Art, Education, & Conservation Converge *

--> Want to see what I'm working on in the conservation and wildlife world? Join me on IG and check my stories. That's where I share all the behind the scenes animal stuff!

















Experience

Related Certifications or Continuing Education Certificates:
- Data Ethics for Practitioners, SciStarter (2024)
- Building Data Literacy Through Community & Citizen Science, SciStarter (2024)
- Foundations of Citizen Science, SciStarter (2024)
- Georgia DNR Aquatic Nuisance Species Certification, GA DNR (2023)
- Canoe/Kayak Safety Certification, Florida State Parks (2023)
- Conservation Project Planning, National Geographic Society (2022)
- Hunter Education, GA DNR (2022)
- Zoonoses for Wildlife Rehabilitators, IWRC (2021)
- Project WET, Certified Educator (2021)
- Developing a National Geographic Explorer Mindset, National Geographic Society (2021)
- Ocean Sustainability & Conservation Certificate, SDG Academy (2019)
- Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood, Certified Educator (2016)
- NOLS Wilderness Medicine Certified (2017-2019)
- CPR/First Aid Certified (American Heart Association, Advanced Medical Certification, National CPR Foundation) (2014-current)

Related Work & Volunteer Experience:
- Explore Wildwood, Program Director & Lead Educator (2015- )
- Cobb County Amphibian Monitoring, Volunteer Monitor (2022- )
- Florida State Parks + TSA-NAFTRG, Team Terrapin Researcher/Monitor Volunteer (2023- )
- PARC (Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation) Amphibian Week 2024 Education & Outreach Team (2024- )
- Bear Creek Nature Center, Animal Care & Enrichment (volunteer) & Children's Educator (contract) (2021-2023)
- Wildlife Resources & Education Network (WREN)/ GA Wildlife Network, Volunteer Wildlife Transporter (2021-2022)
Caretta Research Project, Research Assistant Volunteer, seasonal (2021, 2019)
- Our Giving Garden, General, Animal Care, Amphibian Monitoring & Pond Health (2019-2022)
- Science.Art.Wonder, Selected Artist (2018-2019)
- Cobb County Watershed Stewardship Program, Volunteer (2017-2018)

Honors & Awards:
- Project Grant, Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots (2024)
- 3rd Place, "Sanctuaries at Home", Get Into Your Sanctuary Contest, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries (2023)
- Green Difference Award for Outstanding Green Education/ Program Director (2017) Explore Wildwood 
- Eco Schools USA Silver Award (2017), Bronze Award (2016) Explore Wildwood 
- 22 Best Atlanta Homeschool Days & Programs, Atlanta Insider (2016) Earth Art Classes/Explore Wildwood

Current Memberships:
- North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (TSA) (2021- )
- The Wildlife Society: Georgia Chapter (2023- )
- Partners in Amphibians & Reptile Conservation (2024- )



ART- Visit the "Fine Art Galleries" to view current artworks (these touch on the topics of conservation, natural history, osteology, and wildlife biology). Artist CV is available on the "Artist CV" page. 25% of all net proceeds from print sales of images in the Chelonian Conversations series goes directly toward turtle conservation. 



Upcoming Public Classes & Events 

* Conservation Club: Select Tuesday afternoons, August-December (homeschoolers ages 9-14 years). 
* Conservation Corner Series: Select Wednesday mornings, August-December (homeschoolers ages 6-13 yr). 

All the details about events can be found HERE.

Plus, my students participating in either conservation-based option this fall will be involved in the (grant-funded) Cards for Conservationists Project I've been working on. Full details available here. If YOU are a wildlife worker, or know of one working in the United States with native wildlife, click over to that link to nominate them (or yourself) to receive one of our cards. 






Private Workshops, Classes, & Lectures
Private classes are a great option for those who want one-on-one attention, more time for advanced instruction, have specific health considerations, or who want to schedule something for a family or private group. Large group visits are also perfect for camps, schools, homeschool groups, daycares, clubs, and more. Lectures may include a group story, Q&A, hands-on time with specimens or materials, a craft, handouts, and/or an interactive activity. Small class instruction is available for 1-10 participants, and large group visits available for groups of 10-100 participants. Most topics can be modified for any age group, including children and adults. See available topics below and email me to discuss your specific needs and to book a visit. 


Science Class Topics: 
- Animal Bones, Teeth, & Shells 
- Fossils & Seashells
- Animal Conservation vs. Rehabilitation
- Helping Georgia's Wildlife
- Wildlife Tagging & Tracking
- Tracking & IDing GA's Ocean Animals
- Intro. to Amphibian Monitoring and Indicator Species
- Intro. to Keystone Species
- Marine Epibiota & Clay Barnacles
- Animal Tracks & Scat
- Fluorescence and Bioluminescence 
- Intro. to Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins
- Sea Turtle Nesting & Conservation
- Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
- Freshwater Turtle Survey Science 
- Turtle Nest Detective (general or coastal editions)
- Herpetile Patterns in Art & Science 
- Diamonds in the Marsh (art & science of Diamondback Terrapins) 
+ More info. and other art/science combo. class topics can be found here

Email me for more info. or to book: blondeshotcreative(at)gmail.com