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Mopping Put

a Man on the Moon

same is true for every organization. Every chef ’s exquisite dining
by Tim L. Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation, experience that makes someone’s anniversary dinner a treasured
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens memory would be impossible without the front of house staff along
with someone to wash dishes, print menus, and pay bills. When I
few years ago, a zoo send supplies to my colleagues in the field, I appreciate
A being able to share how their role in shipping a box is a
colleague shared a story
key part in this chain to ensure wildlife and wild places
about a woman
who does custodial work in their thrive into the future.
offices. While out and about in I write this in contemplation of the opening of our
the community, someone saw the new entry complex this spring at Naples Zoo including
logo on this woman’s uniform and the Hamill Family Education Center. Meticulous
asked what she did at the zoo. planning by passionate professionals put thought into this
She replied, “I save animals.” I do wonder if she heard the structure that will welcome the coming generations. But
story of the chance meeting on a NASA tour between without the lead gift from Nancy and Jonathan Hamill
JFK and a man in overalls who, when asked about his duties by along with other generous donors, those plans would have remained
the president, replied, “I’m not mopping. I’m putting a man on sketches on paper. And those would be empty rooms without our
the moon.” His name is lost to history. Afterall, he didn’t take trained educators and the families who bring their children to
Neil Armstrong’s small step for a man that was a giant leap for encourage a love of nature in their children. Last year, our education
mankind. While this NASA encounter is likely more rooted team engaged nearly 35,000 individuals from school children to
in legend than history, it encapsulates the profound truth that adult programs.
thousands of souls collaborated to make that lunar moment a In 2024, we will begin to see the impact of this new center with
reality including a man with a mop. even greater numbers. But the work isn’t yet done. If you’d like to
Likewise, our biologists and zoologists provide complete care help us meet the need for specialty items for both the animals cared
for Naples Zoo’s wildlife which would be impossible without for within this program as well as specialty artifacts for this growing
our veterinarian and her technicians. But they also depend on number of our young learners, visit www.napleszoo.org. And
a dedicated horticulture and maintenance team – and every however you support our zoo and historic garden from donating to
member of the admissions team, park attendants, accounting visiting, you’re playing a part in our larger mission to inspire people
staff, and beyond. Indeed, none of our conservation successes in of all ages to respect, value and help conserve wildlife and our
the wild would be possible without the zoo itself. Saving animals natural world. And if someone asks you what you did for the zoo,
anywhere begins with caring for the animals here. Of course, the you can simply say, “I’m saving animals.”

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