Aquarium Biologist Haley Wagner has always been passionate about animals, the outdoors, and sparking the public’s interest in the beauty and complexity of nature! Read on to see how she combines all of these interests and skills in her job at the museum.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR MDWFP’S MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE?
I’ve worked at the museum since January 2021.
WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?
I start every day with a walk-through to check on all of the animals under my care. It’s my job to ensure my tanks are clean, healthy, and well-fed.
I’m also responsible for making sure my tanks accurately represent each habitat type of Mississippi they are meant to display. This means that I get to travel all over the state to collect fish for my exhibits.
I also love being able to dive into my tanks and feed the fish for the public Fish Feedings.
Another aspect of my job that I love is that I’m able to help out other departments in our museum. I have many opportunities to learn and try new things. I love helping our researchers with fieldwork, helping set up, maintain, and tear down traveling exhibits, and participating in our many events held at the museum.
ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?
One of my favorite animals in my care is a River Cooter in the Pearl River tank. She has become a very spoiled turtle that will demand worms and eat them right out of your hands.
I love to dive that tank for feed shows because she always keeps it interesting. She’ll nibble on my face mask, my hair, or on sponges I use to clean the glass. She always keeps the dive interesting and helps me put on a good show for the public.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota where I spent a lot of time hiking, kayaking, and taking advantage of any opportunity to be outside in nature.
I attended South Dakota State University where I earned a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and two internships. My first internship was with fisheries at South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and my second was as a field technician for a graduate student who was studying nesting success of various bird species on restored native prairie grasslands and wetlands.
After I graduated, I followed my now husband down to Mississippi where he became the state ichthyologist for the museum. I got a job with the Jackson Zoo where I discovered my passion for animal husbandry. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with some truly incredible animals.
Eventually, I was able to get hired at MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science where I can continue my conservation work.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
I’ve always been passionate about animals and being outdoors. I’m happiest when I’m outside discovering all sorts of living creatures existing in their natural habitats.
I’m forever amazed by the diversity of species we have in our own backyards. I love that every species has its own important place in keeping an ecosystem healthy and thriving. This is what sparked my passion for conservation.
I’m glad to have a career where I can ignite this passion in others through education.
HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?
I love being able to show the public just a glimpse of the great diversity the state of Mississippi has to offer!
Many people will see my tanks and think “that’s just a tank full of minnows.” My job allows me to show them there are hundreds of different species of fish in the state of Mississippi and they all have an important place in their ecosystem.
I think sparking this interest and educating the public is so important. Once people start to understand and appreciate the beauty and complexity in nature, they’re able to understand why it’s so important to protect and conserve it.
ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?
Volunteer and network!
Don’t be afraid to reach out to local organizations that interest you in search of volunteer or internship opportunities.
Also, don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s the best way to narrow down what you want to do with your career while also gaining great experience that will help in obtaining future internships.
When I started my first internship with fisheries at South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, I knew very little about fish, but I ended up learning a lot and thoroughly enjoying my time with them.
