ANNOUNCING THE WOMAN OF THE MONTH

Meet April’s Fort Worth Woman! Stephanie Crowson grew up on a small farm and has been around animals her entire life. After graduating high school with a scholarship from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, she attended Texas A&M University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.

Stephanie describes the progression towards her dream job as “natural”. She further explains “Caring for animals was something I enjoyed and was good at doing so it was a natural progression to follow a career that involved animal husbandry. My family was heavily involved in 4-H, so I was exposed to opportunities that helped grow and expand my knowledge in the care of animals, taught me life skills, and how to be a leader. It also helped strengthen my self-confidence so that I could go out and conquer what I wanted.” Each of these skills she acquired led her to where she is now – a zookeeper with the Fort Worth Zoo.

When asked about what brought Stephanie to the Fort Worth Zoo, she started her explanation with college. “During my junior year of college, I had the opportunity to participate in a six-month culture program through the International 4-H Youth Exchange Program. I chose Botswana, Africa due to my interest in African wildlife and culture. During those six months, I lived with nine different native families through every region of the country. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that directly exposed me to the animal species I would eventually care for in my chosen profession. When I graduated college and was trying to figure out what to do with my life, my mom stumbled across an announcement for internships at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose. It was the perfect opportunity to gain experience caring for a variety of animals I had not worked with before. I then ended up working three different internships over that year and that’s where I really discovered my love of exotic animals, in particular. As they say, the rest is history. I was hooked, and I knew this was the path I wanted to take for a full-time career.”

As her internships came to a close, the Fort Worth Zoo had an opening. Within two weeks of her interview, Stephanie was ‘boots on the ground’ working as an entry-level keeper taking care of bears, lions, tigers, and hoofstock. Stephanie describes, “It was one of the best decisions of my life. After a couple of years, I was able to move to a supervisor position when the new Texas Wild! habitat opened. I learned so much about management, patience, and compromise. I also discovered I was good at organizing and loved the challenge of making the workday run smoothly and efficiently for the staff, department, and the animals’ care. The animals were great, of course. How could you not love them? They enrich our lives just by existing, but getting to see them and care for them daily is priceless. However, I knew I wanted to advance further into management so I could add a new way to assist in the profession. When the opportunity opened, I went for and got the Assistant Curator of Mammals position that eventually brought me to my current role.”

And now here she is, 24 years later, as the Associate Mammal Curator for our Fort Worth Zoo. Stephanie’s favorite part of her job is obvious – the animals! She further describes, “Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I love getting to see and work with them every day. They bring a smile to my face no matter what mood I am experiencing or what challenges I may be facing. I know for a fact I’ll be happier just by being around them. I absolutely believe we are providing them the best care possible and that we are making a difference in their lives and the conservation of wildlife not only in our own backyards but across continents. We have a responsibility to conserve nature, as well as educate people about wildlife and their role in the environment. This world we live in is beautiful. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy being around animals from all over the globe. I can see Africa, Asia, and North America all in one day. I can view all these magnificent animals just by walking through the Zoo, and every person that visits the Fort Worth Zoo can do the same. We are so lucky to have that option and knowing that we have the support of our community just enriches that experience even more.”

Stephanie’s enthusiasm for her occupation as well as the Fort Worth Zoo is contagious. When describing what she hopes for other little girls (and boys) who visit the zoo, she said, “When they encounter any staff member, regardless of what position, I want them to know if they see it, they can be it. I want them to know there is a place for everyone. I want them to see the joy and passion we have for our animals and this profession, and that we make a difference in what we are doing. I want them to know they can be me, or any other person like me anywhere in the world. Just follow your dreams. All that hard work, sacrifice, and determination will pay off. Put yourself out there and take chances. Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s not just a man’s world – there is room for all of us.”

Her word for her role as a woman thriving in our city is: change. And rightfully so. Stephanie further describes, “I’ve learned to be flexible to any and all situations. The job, family, the community, and expectations are always changing and evolving. Needs and wants and views change over time. Change can be scary but wonderful too. Learning that growth comes with change has been pivotal in helping me succeed, and I feel that the Fort Worth Zoo has been a leader in providing change and growth, especially with animal care and conservation.” Over the years we have all seen our zoo evolve, change, and develop into one of the best in the country.

Stephanie loves that Fort Worth feels safe. Alongside the small town, big city vibe Fort Worth gives off Stephanie states, “I feel safe and at home here and part of a community with high family values. A big smile and a ‘howdy’ is around every corner.” Stephanie just seems to ‘get’ this city and her mindset is one of the many reasons why Cowtown has the feel it does.

To best round out her adventurous journey, Stephanie included a sentiment of gratitude for her mother. She describes, “She was and is and always will be my biggest supporter. She helped build my foundation in agriculture, leadership, and development as a strong, independent woman. She has been with me through all the highs and lows and has absolutely supported me 100% in my career choices. She taught me to believe in myself and reach for the stars.” Thankfully, we as a city have someone like Stephanie who we can share the same gratitude for. Not only is our zoo making a huge difference in the world of conservation, but they have hearts like Stephanie leading the charge.

You can find Stephanie at the Fort Worth Zoo Sunday through Thursday from opening until close. The main zoo number is 817-759-7500 and is the best way to contact me or any other staff member. The next time you visit, keep an eye out as Stephanie is usually out and about in the park and can be found pretty quickly when needed. The Fort Worth Zoo website is filled with very helpful information, especially for anyone wanting to learn more about the zoo, what the goals are, and how you can get involved with everything from animal care to conservation.