At The Texas Zoo, our Conservation Education Department is on a mission to inspire curiosity, connection, and care for the natural world. We aim to be the leading resource for environmental education in Victoria and the Coastal Bend region by creating hands-on, memorable learning experiences that spark a lifelong love for wildlife and conservation.
The Texas Zoo’s educators are dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of wildlife. Through programs, outreach, and events, they create meaningful experiences that connect guests to animals and conservation. Learn more about the team whose knowledge and passion help bring our mission to life.
Meet the Education Manager, Desiray!
Her favorite programs to lead are zoo outreaches and Zoo Boo, where she gets to connect with the community in fun and memorable ways. She especially enjoys working with Angel, our ball python, and loves seeing the variety of reactions guests have when meeting her up close. As an educator, Desiray’s favorite part is teaching people fascinating facts about wildlife they may have never considered before and helping correct the misconceptions they already have. Outside of the zoo, she enjoys going to festivals, taking road trips, playing video games, and relaxing with a good TV show. Her go-to coffee order is an iced quad shot white-chocolate hazelnut mocha. A fun fact about Desiray is that she’s left-handed and double-jointed, and her dream is to one day work with a sloth. Her favorite conservation motto is: “Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.”
Meet Educator Nicole!
Her favorite programs to lead at the zoo are our festive Halloween and Christmas events, as well as mob mingle outreach programs at schools and libraries. When it comes to animals, she especially enjoys working with Tia, our Umbrella Cockatoo and Dobby & Winky, our Red-Handed Tamarins, though her dream is to one day work with a red panda. Nicole loves being an educator because she gets to engage in passionate conversations about wildlife and watch families enjoy the events that so much care and effort go into. Outside of the zoo, she enjoys cooking and taking walks with her dog, and her go-to treat is a caramel cheesecake iced latte from Garden House. Nicole is bilingual, and her favorite conservation motto is “Let wildlife be wild.”
Meet Educator Grace!
While she’s still discovering her favorite programs to lead, she already loves working with Connor, our Eastern Screech Owl, at the zoo. Her favorite part of being an educator is seeing guests get enthusiastic and excited about the animals they meet. Outside of work, Grace has a special appreciation for peregrine falcons and enjoys relaxing by playing Baldur’s Gate 3. Her go-to coffee order is a venti café latte made with half & half. A fun fact about Grace is that she can move her eyes separately, just like a chameleon! Her favorite conservation message is: “Don’t you want your kids to see them too?”
From field trips that bring lessons to life, to outreach programs that take the zoo experience on the road, to birthday parties, camps, and seasonal events, we offer countless ways to learn and explore. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or community leader, we’re here to help create experiences that are both fun and meaningful!