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!
Museum Staff Spotlight: Zoe Mabry, Environmental Resources Technician
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.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Ricki Moore, Conservation Educator
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.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Meredith Westmoreland, Administrative Assistant
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.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Emily Field, Research Coordinator and Herpetologist
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.
Angel Rohnke Named Museum Director
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks announced today that Deputy Administrator Angel Rohnke will serve as the next Director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
The MMNS Foundation staff and Board of Directors are excited to continue working with Angel in her new role and thank her for her partnership with the Foundation over the past two decades! Read more …
Museum Director Charles Knight Retires
MDWFP announced today that Museum Director Charles Knight has retired after 31 years of service!
The MMNS Foundation staff and Board of Directors are thankful for the successful partnership we’ve had with Charles over the past three decades. We’ll miss him and we wish him all the best!
Read on for the official announcement and photos from Charles’ retirement celebration and from throughout the years.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Charles Knight, Museum Director
Museum Director Charles Knight has worked at the Museum for 31 years! Charles has been instrumental in growing the Museum into a wonderful, award-winning attraction and research facility!
Get to know Charles better in this interview - and learn more about how he combines his education and passion for conservation and the outdoors to lead the Museum.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Brooke Copley, Customer Service Representative (Copy)
Have you met Brooke Copley, Customer Service Representative, on the Museum’s grounds, in the Dragonfly gift shop, or at the LeFleur’s Bluff Playground? Since childhood, Brooke has regularly visited and explored the Museum! She joined the Museum staff two years ago.
Get to know Brooke better in this interview - and learn more about her important role in keeping our Museum and the Playground safe and beautiful for you to enjoy.
Museum Staff Spotlight: Dalton Knight, Conservation Educator
Dalton Knight was 11 years old when he bought his first field guide at the Museum and got hooked on exploring the natural world! Today, he inspires students and visitors to understand and appreciate the natural world.
Get to know Dalton better in this interview and learn more about what it’s like to work with the Museum’s animal ambassadors.
