Meghan Rahner
Syracuse,NY
Summary
Highly qualified Environmental Educator with 10 years of experience teaching elementary and middle school students. Generates student enthusiasm for learning through individual connections and motivators. Empowers students through interactive learning, offering fun and educational lessons and exciting environmental demonstrations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Zoo Camp Coordinator
Friends Of The Rosamond Gifford Zoo
05.2023 - Current
- Led groups of children safely through variety of camp activities.
- Communicated with parents, staff and teachers regarding children or program issues.
- Monitored camper behavior during activities, effectively handling discipline situations and encouraging positive behavior.
- Educated 100 campers each week on conservation issues through animal demonstrations, crafts and games.
- Created interesting and educational lesson plans and implemented activities while engaging with children.
Development Associate
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Managed event logistics and operations
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Hired, trained and supervised volunteers and support staff required for events.
- Designed and implemented efforts to publicize events and promote sponsorships.
- Coordinated florists, photographers, and musicians for events.
- Managed donation through the Altru Database
Piping Plover Conservation Steward
AmeriCorps Program
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Planned and organized public outreach and events
- Developed education plans, newsletters and social media posts
- Conducted avian surveys on shorebirds, grassland and old growth species.
- Attended public events to provided information about forestry practices, conservation strategies and sustainability plans.
- Patrolled 10 state parks and other natural areas to provide user safety and enforce park regulations.
- Informed over 1,000 visitors of policies, services and historical points of interest of natural areas.
- Complied data and wrote reports to improve conservation practices
- Conducted behavioral surveys, installed predator enclosures and banded endangered shorebird species
- Conducted invasive species surveys and removal
Conservation Research Intern
Bush Heritage Australia
05.2021 - 01.2022
- Assessed climate change vulnerability of key conservation Targets in the Kimberley region, Australia
- Collaborated with indigenous landowners to determine species for conservation and possible management methods
- Prepared wildlife study results for presentation and publication by collaborating with Bush Heritage.
- Attended meetings and presentations to learn more details about key conservation targets for Australia.
- Compiled vulnerability research for over 20 key conservation targets within timely manner
Home Care Aide
AccentCare
12.2020 - 11.2021
- Assisted patients with handling daily chores and errands by transporting to appointments, cleaning personal spaces and purchasing supplies.
- Helped patients safely transition between sleeping surfaces and mobility assistance such as wheelchairs by providing consistent support.
- Offered support for client mental and emotional needs to enhance physical outcomes and overall happiness.
- Interacted kindly with patients and families and displayed positive, outgoing attitude, resulting in establishment of long-term, professional relationships.
- Improved patients well-being, health and happiness
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife Wishing Well
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Prepared meals and diets for animals using species-specific formulas and nourishment to aid in rehabilitation.
- Cleaned indoor and outdoor wildlife enclosures to prevent injury to animals, promote physical comfort and facilitate sanitation and servicing.
- Administered medications and syringed and bottle fed infant animals to promote health and healing with goal of releasing back into wild.
- Monitored over 100 sick and injured animals to promote care, education and outreach program.
Zookeeper Intern
Zoo At Thompson Park
07.2019 - 08.2019
- Observed animal details such as size, condition, behavior and eating habits and documented data.
- Followed all pet care instructions, including dietary needs and medication regimens.
- Documented animals' weight, size and condition in computer system for review by senior staff.
- Kept cages, kennels, play yards and grooming areas neat and clean.
- Trained animals in behavioral compliance or other special routines or commands.
- Managed and helped provide care for up to 10 different species per day
Environmental Educator
Lime Hollow Nature Center
06.2013 - 08.2018
- Educated and inspired over 500 students in environmental conservation concepts such as species identification, tracks and tracking, watershed dynamics, ecology, and wildlife.
- Arranged materials and instructional plans to implement immersive activities delving into environmental concepts.
- Planned and organized events/ field trips
- provided customer service to donors and patrons
- Gave demonstrations and instructions on survivalist and backpacking skills.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
Research Volunteer
St. Luce Reserve
06.2017 - 07.2017
- Educated 5 local schools rainforest conservation and determined main obstacles for community conservation.
- Researched various subjects that were related to rainforest conservation and presented information to St. Luce Reserve owner.
- Assisted head researcher with lemur behavioral observations and species sample collection.
- Interacted with study participants by preparing for examinations, obtaining consent and collecting specimens on rare Phelsuma Antanosy.
- Performed maintenance on reserve buildings and forest restoration to damaged sectors
Education
Master of Science - Conservation Biology
Macquarie University
Sydney , Australia12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Alfred University
Alfred, NY12.2018
Skills
- Natural Sciences
- Classroom Management
- Discussion Facilitation
- ArcMap/GIS
- Statistical testing with R studio
- Animal Husbandry
- Laboratory techniques
- Wildlife management
- Soil sampling
- Conservation management
- Public relations skills
- Environmental Education
Additional Information
Will complete course on field method skills, including construction site, fish habitat, land, and water field sampling and survey methods, by March 2022
Available full time starting December 31
Certification
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association of Interpreters in Education - April 2022-April 2024
- Wildlife rehabilitation, DEC - March 2019- December 2022
- Boating Safety, BoatUS - January 2022-January 2024
- Leave No Trace, Leave No Trace - July 2022-July 2024
- Wilderness First Aid, Aerie Backcountry Medicine - May 2022- May 2024
- Environmental Field Methods, Natural Resources Training Group- March 2022
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, ASHI- June 2023-June 2025
Hobbies
- painting
- Biking
- rock climbing
- metal sculpture
- mixology
Timeline
Zoo Camp Coordinator
Friends Of The Rosamond Gifford Zoo
05.2023 - Current
Development Associate
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
08.2022 - 05.2023
Piping Plover Conservation Steward
AmeriCorps Program
01.2022 - 07.2022
Conservation Research Intern
Bush Heritage Australia
05.2021 - 01.2022
Home Care Aide
AccentCare
12.2020 - 11.2021
Zookeeper Intern
Zoo At Thompson Park
07.2019 - 08.2019
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife Wishing Well
05.2019 - 01.2020
Research Volunteer
St. Luce Reserve
06.2017 - 07.2017
Environmental Educator
Lime Hollow Nature Center
06.2013 - 08.2018
Master of Science - Conservation Biology
Macquarie University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Alfred University
- Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association of Interpreters in Education - April 2022-April 2024
- Wildlife rehabilitation, DEC - March 2019- December 2022
- Boating Safety, BoatUS - January 2022-January 2024
- Leave No Trace, Leave No Trace - July 2022-July 2024
- Wilderness First Aid, Aerie Backcountry Medicine - May 2022- May 2024
- Environmental Field Methods, Natural Resources Training Group- March 2022
- CPR, Wilderness First Aid, ASHI- June 2023-June 2025
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