Some educators teach in classrooms, but Morgan Taylor brings learning to life in the wildest way possible! As a Conservation Educator, Morgan spends her days caring for animals, leading hands-on programs, and making science fun for kids of all ages. Whether she’s introducing students to fascinating creatures, answering visitors' questions, or caring for animals, she approaches each day with humor and enthusiasm.

Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, Morgan developed a deep love for the outdoors, hunting, and exploring nature. With a background in elementary education and nearly 15 years of teaching experience, she’s now bringing her passion for learning outside the classroom and into the Museum.

Get to know more about Morgan’s journey, her love for nature (and classic literature!), and the unexpected moments that make her job unforgettable in our latest Staff Spotlight!

Meet Cary Spence, our Community Relations Director! With a background in hospitality and a lifelong love for the outdoors, Cary brings his passion for connecting people to the wonders of Mississippi’s natural world. From engaging visitors to promoting conservation, he’s all about making the Museum a welcoming, inspiring place. Learn more in our latest Staff Spotlight!

When it comes to rolling up her sleeves and diving into Mississippi’s wild side, Zoe Mabry, our Environmental Resources Technician, is always up for the adventure! Whether she’s setting nets for turtles, organizing the Museum’s natural history collection, or searching for critters on field surveys, Zoe brings passion and curiosity to everything she does.

Want to know more about Zoe’s journey, her hands-on work in the field, and her commitment to protecting the natural world? Check out her inspiring story in our latest Staff Spotlight blog post.

Meet Ricki Moore, our newest Conservation Educator! Ricki brings a passion for wildlife and a knack for making conservation fun and engaging. Whether she's leading programs on reptiles or endangered species, taking care of the museum's animal ambassadors, or sharing conservation tips with visitors, Ricki is always ready for the next adventure. And yes, there was that one time an Indigo Snake decided to go inside her shirt during a presentation!

Get to know more about Ricki's journey and her dedication to protecting Mississippi's natural wonders in our latest blog post.

We’re excited to introduce Meredith Westmoreland, our new Administrative Assistant who joined the team in August! From keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes to assisting with Museum events, Meredith is already making her mark. Want to know the most fun thing she's seen so far? Hint: it involves a caveman costume! Get to know more about Meredith and how she’s helping our team thrive in her new role.

Meet Emily Field, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science’s dynamic Research Coordinator and herpetologist. Emily’s workdays are anything but typical - she might be out in the field handling alligator snapping turtles one day, and in the lab analyzing data the next.

With a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a deep love for reptiles, Emily brings her enthusiasm for wildlife conservation to every aspect of her role. From maintaining the museum’s invaluable herpetology collection to conducting field surveys for threatened species, Emily is making a significant impact on the conservation of Mississippi’s incredible biodiversity.