It Begins: Adventures in Nature and the Origins of Our Wild Journey
Episode Overview:
In this inaugural episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole take listeners on a journey into their personal adventures in nature and the origins of their wild careers. Growing up exploring Pennsylvania's wilderness, the co-hosts share their love for the outdoors, the story behind starting their podcast, and how their childhood shaped their careers in conservation education. If you’re ready to get to know the hosts better and hear about the early days of Wildly Curious, this episode is the perfect starting point for our wild journey together!
Expanded Key Topics Covered:
1. Childhood Adventures in Nature (Pennsylvania)
Key Role: Both Katy and Laura credit their time spent in the wild woods of Pennsylvania as the spark for their passion for nature. These early experiences of hiking, camping, and exploring the wilderness laid the groundwork for their future careers in conservation.
Additional Learning: Pennsylvania offers a wealth of state parks and forests. Explore the history and the role of state forests in conserving natural resources, like Bald Eagle State Forest and Michaux State Forest.
Fun Fact: Pennsylvania has over 2.2 million acres of state forestland!
Explore More: Learn more about Pennsylvania’s rich natural landscape:
URL: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/Pages/default.aspx
2. Zoo and Wildlife Biology
Key Role: Katy and Laura studied Zoo and Wildlife Biology together, which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively about wildlife and conservation. Their degree set the stage for their professional adventures in zoos, aquariums, and education programs.
Additional Learning: Curious about what a Zoo and Wildlife Biology degree entails? Learn about the typical courses, career paths, and the importance of this field in conservation.
Fun Fact: Many zoos today are not just for display but play a critical role in species conservation, research, and education.
Explore More: Discover more about zoo biology and wildlife education:
URL: https://www.aza.org/conservation-science
3. The Hilarity of Learning Graphics (Zoo Work)
Key Role: The co-hosts recount their struggle with creating signage for zoo exhibits—an unexpected challenge in their roles as educators. Despite this, their time spent working on graphics helped them hone other valuable skills, like communication and program development.
Additional Learning: Want to know more about how zoos use signage to communicate complex biological information to the public?
Fun Fact: Many zoo graphics include interactive elements to engage visitors and make learning more enjoyable!
Explore More: Dive into how zoos use educational signage:
URL: https://www.aza.org/education-programs
Fun Facts from the Episode:
Both Katy and Laura have a combined 25+ years in conservation education and have worked in various zoos and aquariums across the U.S.
The co-hosts initially bonded over a college canoe trip where Laura jumped into the water to grab a snake!
They once joked about starting a “goat milk soap and butterfly farm,” dreaming of quirky ways to combine their love for nature with potential business ideas.
Quotes from the Episode:
“This is the moment we’ve been preparing for our entire lives—sharing nature’s weirdest and wildest stories with you!” – Katy Reiss
“We joke about having learned random stuff, but our passion for nature and science is real, and we can’t wait to bring you along for this journey.” – Laura Fawks Lapole
Additional Resources for Learning:
Conservation Education
Learn more about what it means to work in conservation education and how zoos and aquariums use storytelling to influence visitors’ understanding of the natural world.
Zoo and Wildlife Biology Careers
Explore different career opportunities for those with a Zoo and Wildlife Biology degree and how this field contributes to global conservation efforts.
Call to Action:
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