Meet the Team

Did you know? Grizzly & brown bears have long, thick claws which helps them to dig holes in the ground

Shayleen Richert

Shayleen Richert is the Education Coordinator for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. She started out as one of TCWR’s  Wildlife Interpreter’s in January of 2021 after graduating from Arkansas Tech University and majoring in Recreation and Parks Administration with an emphasis in Natural Resources. She has come from an interpretation background, previously working at Roaring River State Park in Cassville, MO. Ever since taking Interpretation classes at Tech and becoming a certified Interpretive Guide through Tech and the National Association of Interpretation, she knew that educating the public about wildlife and nature was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Shayleen has always had a love for big cats deep down since she was little and loves being able to teach people about the hardships they have to face on a daily basis through other facilities.

“I love being able to see that A-HA moment when talking to the public and seeing that what you just said has clicked with them, especially when it is as important as educating people on what these animals have gone through.”

 

Sara Edwards

Sara Edwards started working as a wildlife interpreter with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in June of 2023. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Arkansas Tech University, with a majority of her time there spent focusing on Social Studies Education. She has had a longtime interest in the interdisciplinary relationship between biological and social sciences. Conservation, humanities, and education all hold a special place in her heart, so she is very excited to use those resources in order to help visitors learn about our special mission here at Turpentine.

“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”   -Jane Goodall

Danika Torgersen

Danika Torgersen started working as a Wildlife Interpreter at Turpentine Creek in January of 2024. She received a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation from Brigham Young University. Danika has been certified as an Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation. She loves spending time outdoors and has always been interested in learning about animals and nature. She loves sharing the new things she learns with others and is excited to expand her knowledge of big cats while working at Turpentine Creek.

“It would be absolutely useless for any of us to work to save wildlife without working to educate the next generation of conservationists.” – Jane Goodall

Eryn Meeker

Eryn Meeker became a Wildlife Interpreter at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in May 2024. They received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. They spent several years volunteering at a local wildlife rehabilitation center, where they fell in love with everything avian. They began at TCWR as an Animal Care Intern in the summer of 2023, where they fell in love with the sanctuary and its animals. They have since pushed past their comfort zone and really found their stride in educating people about their wild neighbors.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” -Neale Donald Walsch

 

Laynie Rodzon

Eryn Meeker became a Wildlife Interpreter at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in May 2024. They received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. They spent several years volunteering at a local wildlife rehabilitation center, where they fell in love with everything avian. They began at TCWR as an Animal Care Intern in the summer of 2023, where they fell in love with the sanctuary and its animals. They have since pushed past their comfort zone and really found their stride in educating people about their wild neighbors.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” -Neale Donald Walsch

 

Jackie Redfearn

Jackie Redfearn attended college at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa majoring in journalism. She joined Turpentine Creek as a docent in May of 2023. She became a part-time Wildlife Interpreter in December of that same year.

Jackie enjoys meeting our guests from all over the world and sharing the animals’ stories. She strongly believes in being an advocate for our animals. Also by sharing their stories, she hopes to inform the public about the trauma and abuse of animals. She feels strongly that through educating the public, there is hope to protect and save the animals that have not yet been rescued.