David Jackson
CEO
David’s passion for wildlife and desire to educate and inspire conservation worldwide is what lead him to establish Conservation Ambassadors over 20 years ago. His passion started in high school with jobs in animal care and training with dogs and parrots. This inspired an early career in veterinarian medicine. As a registered veterinarian nurse David worked in the zoological medicine department at UC Davis Veterinary teaching hospital where his interest in zoo animals developed. Later David also graduated from Moorpark College with a degree in Exotic Animal training and management and is proud to be an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) certified zoological manager. David often travels to places like Africa and Asia to help with insitu conservation projects. Throughout his career David has received numerous awards for animal welfare, training, and conservation education. David will say his greatest accomplishment are his 2 amazing children Samantha and Christopher who have the same love of animals and passion for conservation as David.
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Kangaroo Lanie,
Education Director
Lanie has been entertaining and educating audiences with furry, feathery, and scaly Animal Ambassadors from Wildlife on Wheels for the last decade. She is a professional animal handler, trainer, and wildlife educator. As a graduate of the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at Moorpark College she has degrees in animal training, animal behavior, and wildlife education. Lanie has also studied Environmental Biology at California State University Northridge. Through her comedy and interactions with animals Lanie leaves audiences entertained, inspired and empowered to preserve the WILD!
melanie@zootoyou.com
Katelyn Cottle
Curator, Office Manager
Katelyn, known to friends as KC, started her career with Zoo To You through an internship, and proved too valuable to be let go! She hasl graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science with a concentration in Wildlife Conservation from Cal Poly, and is excited to continue to lead the wonderful team of zookeepers at Zoo To You, as well as maintain her current position as Rehabilitation Supervisor at Pacific Wildlife Care, a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. Learning to horseback ride at the age of 5, KC has been inspired by animals her entire life, and wants nothing more than to learn to save and preserve the wonderful creatures around us. In her free time, KC enjoys gardening, painting and making her own jewelry, as well as riding her own horse around zoo property!
katelyn@zootoyou.com
Jana Blacksmith
Head Trainer
Over a decade ago Jana’s first experience with Zoo to You was as an audience member at her elementary school right here on the Central Coast. Since then, her desire to work with animals has taken her all the way to Washington where she participated in an internship at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Most recently she graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Animal Science and is now thrilled to be working with Zoo to You. When she’s not working Jana is out exploring the outdoors, hiking, rock climbing, and catching glimpses of bears and bobcats in the wild!
jana@zootoyou.com
DEADLINES:
summer internship applications are due no later than Sunday April 28th 2013 – email us to get application
Want to get even more involved? Apply for our internship program!
We offer a 12-week intensive internship program in which interns work alongside staff and learn what it means to be a zookeeper and animal trainer. We accept intern [...]
As someone who cares about animals, you can have an integral role in sustaining the Conservation Ambassadors. By using planning techniques, it is possible to make a significant gift for the future care of our animals while receiving great personal benefits today.
Limited Edition ZOO to YOU Label Series
Your purchase benefits the care of rescued animals used [...]
Outreach programs are provided by Zoo To You and Wildlife on Wheels throughout California.
These educational presentations have been designed to fit into the California Science framework.
We can also design programs that will fit your individual needs.
Our programs are available all over Central and Southern [...]
Giving a worldwide voice to wildlife.
Conservation Ambassadors was formed over 20 years ago for two main reasons.
First to provide a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned and permanently injured wild and exotic animals and secondly to share these amazing animal ambassadors with [...]
UPCOMING ORIENTATION
April 13th at 10am
Email CAIKeepers@gmail.com
to RSVP and get more information
The Zoo has many dedicated volunteers who participate in animal care, fundraising, and educational presentations. Our Volunteer Team consists of dedicated individuals who are committed to helping provide the best quality of care for our animal ambassadors. With 40 acres and a collection of close to [...]