Chapter Program
January 9, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Free
“Innovative Introductions- a new approach to Animal Ambassador Engagement”, Emily Essa and Sierra Merritt, Houston Humane Wildlife Center
January 2025 Program Description
To truly inspire conservation, people must feel connected to nature and recognize the vital role every living organism plays in the web of life. At the Houston Humane Wildlife Center, ambassador animals—non-releasable wild animals with incredible stories—help bridge this connection. While physical contact with ambassadors was once thought essential to fostering understanding, new research and a focus on animal welfare have guided us toward a no-touch policy. This approach prioritizes our animals’ health and happiness without diminishing the guest experience. Our ambassadors thrive, and we hope to inspire other facilities to adopt similar animal-first practices.
About Our Presenter
Emily Essa has been an avid animal lover since birth! While studying Zoology at Texas A&M, Emily gained experience working with all sorts of wild and exotic animals ranging from a serval, zebra, lemur, and kangaroo. After graduating from A&M in 2020, Emily was offered an internship at Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary in Navasota where they gained experience caring for and training wolves and wolfdogs. Emily has been with the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center as the Lead Educator since 2022 and has personally seen many of the positive changes made to the ambassador program!
Sierra Merritt has been working in the animal care field since 2020, specializing in the training of both exotic and native wildlife through positive reinforcement techniques. She is also experienced in enhancing husbandry practices for animals in human care. Over the course of her career, Sierra has worked with a diverse range of species, from reptiles and birds to tigers. She currently works with the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center as the Education Animal Coordinator, where she is responsible for training and caring for the center’s collection of native animal ambassadors
Coastal Prairie Chapter programs are free and open to the public. This program will be held in-person at the Rosenberg Civic Center, , 3825 TX-36, Rosenberg, TX 77471.
Please plan to arrive at 6:00 pm for refreshments and social time. The program starts at 7pm.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Texas Master Naturalist program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.