Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Montano.
Hi Carolina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I have been SFWC’s Director of Outreach since January 2021. With over 15 years of experience in animal husbandry, and community outreach, I oversee SFWC’s public engagement, curate our collection of Ambassador Animals, and strive to educate the next generation of wildlife conservationists and inspire them to do better for wildlife and our planet.
I earned a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Nova Southeastern University.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Though a smooth road to where I am today, it has been a long one.
The animal welfare field is very small and very competitive, so while in school, I did internships and volunteer programs and got as much experience as possible to stand out when applying for entry-level zookeeper positions. I eventually went up the chain and moved into public community outreach, and then in 2021, I used all my skills to apply for my current position and have been loving it ever since.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Always fond of nature and the animals in it, I always knew my career would revolve around animals and finding a way to help them and teach people about them.
From learning about farm animals, agriculture, and food science throughout middle and high school to learning about exotic wildlife and their conservation efforts in sanctuaries and zoological institutions throughout college ultimately leading to becoming a zookeeper at one of the largest zoos in North America and beginning my journey of advocating firsthand for several threatened and endangered species. Throughout my years of zookeeping at various AZA-accredited institutions, I participated in several conservation and research efforts to re-introduce species into the wild while also studying how to improve life for animals in human care through enrichment and exhibit design.
While getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Nova Southeastern University to a Master’s of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin, I developed my passion for conservation education and public outreach.
While at the South Florida Wildlife Center, as the Director of Outreach and Volunteer Services, I oversee several aspects of the Center’s education and outreach initiatives to further inspire the next generation of wildlife advocates and help improve the community’s knowledge of human impacts on the environment and how these impacts affect wildlife throughout the world.
Firstly, I oversee the wildlife hospital’s Resource Center, which includes admitting patients and public outreach for community members who encounter wildlife in distress and striving to educate the public on what is normal, what is not, and how they can help. I also curate the Wildlife Education Ambassador Animal Program, a small collection of non-releasable wildlife that call SFWC home. Our Wildlife Education Ambassador team consists of reptiles, mammals, and birds that all help to enrich our environmental educational experiences. They create memorable and valuable interactions by providing hands-on learning opportunities to inspire further curiosity about the natural world.
Furthermore, I develop and implement public on-site workshops and virtual lectures, create and design print and digital publications, produce engaging content for various social media platforms, assist with marketing donation appeals, and help with organizing fundraisers. Lastly, I oversee the community volunteer efforts, including general volunteers, days of giving for corporate businesses and organizations, and students who require internships and externships for school.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I have been fortunate enough to have been lucky my entire life and have been blessed in both my personal life and career. I am thankful for all the opportunities I have been given and am excited for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.southfloridawildlifecenter.org
- Instagram: @SouthFloridaWildlifeCenter
- Facebook: @SouthFloridaWildlifeCenter
- Linkedin: @SouthFloridaWildlifeCenter
- Youtube: @SouthFloridaWildlifeCenter
- Other: https://www.bonfire.com/store/south-florida-wildlife-center/
