Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Dunn.
Hi Jason, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My whole life, I had a deep passion for all types of wildlife. My parents were constantly taking me to natural history museums and other zoological institutions. Since this point, I have always wanted to run a zoo and dinosaur museum. As my passion lead me to Gather information, my learning process started to Immerge a theme. The theme that indicated humanity and wildlife were in constant conflict.
Soon I observed other conservationists, biologists, and television hosts try their hand to solve the problem of coexisting humanity with nature. Many naturalists were condescending and degrading to the various people they were trying to influence. I started to form a hypothesis that whatever the solution is, I believed that respect and positivity. Once I got into Jr. High and Sr. High school, I started volunteering at the various institutions I would visit regularly as a young child. While interacting with the general public I would try different strategies of delivering information in formal and informal educational opportunities.
I quickly learned that people need to love wildlife before they learn to save it. I dedicated myself to new strategies of teaching relatable information so people could (on some level) bond with various creatures. Since these educational revelations I applied my knowledge while working at ThanksGiving Point as an educator, Utah’s Hogle zoo as an educator, and the Loveland Living planet aquarium as both education supervisor and keeper/aquarist. My Education: While working at various institutions I completed my bachelor’s degree (BS) from Utah Valley University. Originally I was working towards a degree in biology with a minor in earth science. While in my 3rd year, I had a strange interaction with a homeowner from whom I was removing a snake from their yard.
While moving the snake, it had wiggled a little, the homeowner had seen this, and screamed “it’s chasing me”- while running away. Sadly, I believed she truly believed the snake was chasing her. This observation inspired me to finish my degree in Behavioral Science. Since this encounter, I have been able to use my mixed education of biology and behavior to better help people understand creatures they may view as frightening. In 2016, I created the official company of Utah’s Reptile Adventures and started a fun interactive outreach program, that allows kids to interact with live animals and real fossils. One year after creating Reptile Adventures, I was able to convert it into a non-profit organization (501c3).
In 2019- before COVID-19 we had taught over 35,000 Utah’s in programs such as classrooms, city carnivals, libraries, scouting events, birthday parties and so much more. All the revenue generated from these public programs goes to animal care and fundraising efforts for further expansion. The next step is to open a fully immersive indoor zoo mixed with prehistoric displays. Despite the name of Reptile Adventures, there are plans for many other animals outside just reptiles including some African cats and exotic birds.
Outside displays, there are plans to have future staff with live animals for public interactions and pictures. Many of the fossil displays will be in unison with living relatives. The facility will open in Utah county. If this is something that interests you please go to our website and reach out to us via email or phone. www.reptileadventures.org.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This is much, more difficult than I had ever expected. Getting enough money to build a 15,000sqft build is not easy. When I was taking the company nonprofit, I did not get a tax attorney, but read the tax code book four times and filed all the needed paperwork myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in the natural history of modern and prehistoric wildlife and finding fun, safe ways for people to interact and learn from them.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how open-minded most Utah’s are. I have traveled many times and worked with many animals and people outside our beautiful state. I’m routinely reminded how easy it is to interact with the general public in Utah versus some other areas I have been to.
I’m not a huge fan of the winters, because it makes housing animals much more difficult and expensive.
Contact Info:
- Email: reptileadventuresm.z@gmail.com
- Website: www.reptileadventures.org
