Taylor Rhoades Email & Phone Number

I create and manage social media content for Joel Sartore Photography (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) as well as content submissions for National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild Instagram feeds. Content created is aimed at providing 1.5million+ followers with facts about species featured in the Photo Ark while also giving suggestions on action items followers can carry out at home in order to save species. I conduct research via audience surveys to help inform our messaging and develop online campaigns that allow us to track the impact that the Photo Ark has with respect to creating positive behavior changes that benefit animals and their natural habitats.

The Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) training program helps jump-start early career conservation professionals through a combination of skills training, networking opportunities with peers and established practitioners and the completion of a global wildlife conservation initiative. EWCL training addresses a long-standing need for capable leaders in the conservation field who are equipped with a full arsenal of skills to launch well-rounded and successful conservation campaigns and build successful leadership careers in the wildlife conservation profession.The two-year training program entails a week of training each year, as well as a final two-day training and graduation ceremony. Throughout the two years, participants will work in teams to develop, implement and evaluate a wildlife conservation project in the United States or globally.

As Project Director, I support the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavior change programs through the systematic application of behavioral science theories and concepts. I'm responsible for the implementation, coordination, and supervision of multiple projects including fiscal management, staffing, client communication, quality assurance, reporting, and ensuring successful and on-time project delivery.

Action Research specializes in changing human behavior through the application of traditional marketing activities blended with cutting edge research findings from the social and behavioral sciences including psychology, sociology, and economics. Our emphasis is exclusively on promoting behaviors that contribute to clean, healthy, and sustainable communities.

After being laid off due to COVID-19, the Zoo rehired me in the bird department in order to use my knowledge and expertise as it pertains to local conservation work to help revamp and bring attention to the Zoo’s involvement in Attwater’s prairie chicken recovery efforts. In addition to working with the Curator and Birds Supervisor on strategies for this endangered species program, I was responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal areas within the Zoo’s new Pantanal exhibit, and the whooping cranes in Texas Wetlands.

Houston, Texas Area

The goal of my position was to support and grow existing Zoo programs aimed at conservation action for staff, board, volunteers, and guests. My main role was to utilize behavioral science concepts and theories to support and grow the Houston Zoo’s six Take Action programs, three behavior change campaigns, and four staff saving wildlife training opportunities. I worked to provide all Zoo staff with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the behavior change process and its importance through trainings, while working with a diverse group of stakeholders to lead behavior change campaigns in the Houston area – conducting research, analyzing data, and communicating results both internally and externally. In addition to my own projects, I led behavior change workshops and consulted on behavior change projects aimed towards protecting ocelots, whooping cranes, giant otters, and marine wildlife in Argentina. I also produced conservation themed blog posts for the Houston Zoo to help clearly articulate our wildlife saving work to the general public.

Lincoln, Nebraska

I collected results from all Photo Ark partners who have received photos in order to determine how and why the photos are being used, and what successes partners have seen as a result of using these images. I also analyzed the captions and commentary on Photo Ark images uploaded to the Joel Sartore and National Geographic Instagram accounts in order to construct and implement a plan for future take-action messaging via social media. I provided guidance and created content for take-action messaging that has been incorporated into a Photo Ark exhibition travelling to zoos world-wide. In addition, I aided the Photo Ark team in the creation of a pollinator campaign centered around moving the needle on the monarch butterfly migration. I was also responsible for verifying/updating taxonomic and IUCN/ federal status listings for all species currently in the Photo Ark archive.

Houston, Texas Area

Participated in meetings with conservation partners as well as meetings with various departments at the zoo to learn about the dynamics of these working relationships and current conservation initiatives. I also took part in two conservation projects – the staff run monarch tagging initiative, and sea turtle surveys with NOAA Fisheries. In addition, I conducted research on the effectiveness of two conservation signs on zoo grounds. The results of this study have been used by various departments around the zoo in strategic planning for signage that has been placed on grounds since my internship concluded.

Houston, Texas Area

Co-lead, mentor and coach a crew of 10 students, ages 15-19, while completing various conservation service projects designed to build an ethic of community and environmental stewardship. Projects include a range of activities such as trail and park maintenance, habitat restoration, revitalization of abandoned urban properties or to urban agriculture and run for 5-6 weeks at a time. In addition, leaders facilitate pre and post program planning which includes crew training, environmental education, and reporting.

Master’S Degree, Primate Conservation

Bachelor’S Degree, Anthropology

Activities and Societies: Aggie Guide Dogs and Service Dogs, Biomedical Sciences Association