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What is Peace Brain?  Peace Brain is the synergistic connection between our mental and emotional bodies – blending the electrical power of the mind with the magnetic force of the heart. 

Listen and explore how to create unity worldwide, as we blend science and metaphysics, open our hearts and minds to the possibilities of Peace on Earth, and create the life we are each destined for.

Featured guests range from angel communicators to zoologists and everything in between. Now here is your host Dr. Gail Lash!

01 minutes

GAIL: Welcome to The Peace Brain Show! This is your Host, Dr. Gail Lash and I’m so happy to have you listening-in today!

We have a great series of upcoming shows for you – starting with this one tonight – that highlight award-winning Diversity Programs created by this nation’s best zoos and aquariums. Many of these programs focus on youth and community. Today’s guests and their “Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development Program” or W.I.L.D. are from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, in Jacksonville, Florida!

But before we bring them on and get into their wonderful stories, I want to open the show with a quote. This quote is from ‘Abdu’l-Baha:

“The world of humanity is like unto a rose garden, and the various races, tongues and people are like unto contrasting flowers. The diversity of colors in a rose garden adds to the charm and beauty of the scene, as variety enhances unity.”

This quote represents what today’s show and its guests are about, which is empowering diversity in our communities, work and play.

So let me set the stage for today’s amazing program and my esteemed guests:

[About AZA and the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award]

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, is a non-profit organization here in the United States dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA represents more than 230 accredited zoos and aquariums which meet the highest standards in animal care, provide a fun and educational family experience, and dedicate millions of dollars to scientific research, conservation, and education programs.

AZA also recognizes the value of human diversity (including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs and political or other ideologies) in all endeavors.

In 2005, AZA created the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award, which recognizes significant achievement in work force and audience diversity by an AZA member institution. Applicants may submit an entry for any diversity program designed to increase diversity through education, training, community service, recruitment and retention, interpretative exhibition, public relations, and marketing.

These programs must be significant, comprehensive, active, and long-lasting. To date, approximately 20 programs have received the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award! I hope to highlight many, if not all, of these award-winning Diversity Programs in upcoming radio shows! So please stay tuned!

To see a list of zoos and aquariums that have won this award - you can go to aza (dot org) website and look under AZA Services, to find Honors and Awards section, and specifically the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award.

04 minutes

INTRODUCE GUESTS

Today on The Peace Brain Show we have the 2017 Significant Achievement Winner from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ W.I.L.D. (Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development) Program.

We are lucky enough to have seven guests on the show tonight to talk about this program, its impacts, successes and life-changing experiences! There is so much amazing content for you to hear – from the program’s creator, its coordinator and youth participants – that I want to keep us on track and begin.

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05 minutes

1. Tony Vecchio – Executive Director you get 10 minutes!

My first Guest is Executive Director at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Mr. Tony Vecchio.

BIO: Tony Vecchio has been Executive Director at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens since July 2009, but Mr. Vecchio’s zoo career spans a 36-year period.  It began at Highland Park Zoo (now called Pittsburgh Zoo) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and continued with Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island, and Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon. 

Vecchio has a Master of Science, in Biology, from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science, in Environmental Resource Management/Wildlife Conservation from Penn State University.  

He is currently on the board of directors of Visit Jacksonville, Jacksonville’s Cultural Fusion, and the Southeast Zoo and Aquarium Research Consortium. He also serves on the Curriculum Committee of Leadership Jacksonville and the Advisory Council of Eckerd College. 

Welcome, Tony Vecchio to The Peace Brain Show!

Tony, I have a couple of questions for you. This Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development Program targets marginalized teenagers and provides multifaceted training and skill development essential for any successful career endeavor.

Q1: Why & How did the WILD program get started?

Q2: What, in your view, has been this diversity program’s biggest impact (so far)?

Thank you, Tony Vecchio!

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15 minutes

2. Chris Conner, WILD Program Coordinator you get 10 minutes!

[Intro of program - program levels, leadership, community advocacy and development (chat about implementation of the day to day, team dynamic/work environment, mission and successes)]

My next Guest is WILD Program Coordinator, Christopher Conner.

BIO: Chris has been in education in various forms for over a decade having the opportunity to fill a multitude of positions ranging from pre-school and high school teacher to Data and Technology Specialist and Communications Trainer for two of the top Fortune 500 companies. Chris has worked in various conservation education positions at some of the best zoos in the country for over 6 years. Currently, he serves as the W.I.L.D. Program Coordinator for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Welcome, Chris, to The Peace Brain Show!

Chris, please give us an overview of your job, and what it means day –day to run this program?

Thank you, Chris Conner!

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25 minutes

3. David Washington, WILD First Year Steward 5 minutes

My next Guest is First Year Steward, David Washington.

BIO: David is a sophomore at Lee High School. David plans on becoming an archeologist in the near future. Currently, David is in his first year in the program serving as a W.I.L.D Steward for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Welcome, David, to The Peace Brain Show!

David, would you please tell us about your experience in the WILD program? [What led you to join the program? What role has it taken in your life so far?]

Thank you, David Washington!

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30 minutes

4. Gabriella Tamez, Second Year Ambassador 5 minutes

My next Guest is Second Year Ambassador, Gabriella Tamez.

BIO: Gabriella is a junior at Frank H. Peterson High School. Gabriella plans on being a conservationist and animal researcher. Currently, Gabriella is serving her second year in the program as W.I.L.D. Ambassador for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Welcome, Gabby, to The Peace Brain Show!

Gabby, would you please tell us about your experience as a second year in the WILD program? [leadership roles, responsibilities, expectations]

Thank you, Gabby Tamez!

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35 minutes

5. Christopher Nixon, WILD Ambassador 5 minutes

My next Guest is WILD Ambassador, Christopher Nixon.

BIO: Chris is a rising senior at Lee High School. Chris is a North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 2018 “Global 30 under 30” Award recipient. This recognition is one of the highest honors a young leader in environmental education can attain. Chris aspires to be a Clinical Pharmacologist. Currently, Chris serves as a W.I.L.D. Ambassador for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Welcome, Chris, to The Peace Brain Show!

Chris, I understand that being a part of the WILD program helped you obtain this prestigious NAAEE award - Congratulations! Would you please tell us about this? [2nd time WILD participant won; leader of WILD Garden project]

Thank you, Chris Nixon!

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40 minutes

6. Helena Brown, WILD Third Year Advocate 5 minutes

My next Guest is WILD Third Year Advocate, Helena Brown.

BIO: Helena is a rising senior at Lee High School. Helena plans on attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) next year to pursue a career in zoology with a minor in cosmetology. Currently, Helena serves as a W.I.L.D. Advocate, third year in the W.I.L.D. Program, for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Welcome, Helena, to The Peace Brain Show!

Helena, could you please tell us about your experience as a third year in the WILD program? [synopsis of 3-year experience in the program and its impact on her life and future]

Thank you, Helena Brown!

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45 minutes

7. Leanne White – Curator of Education 5 minutes

My last Guest is Jacksonville Zoo and Garden’s Curator of Education, Leanne White.

BIO:

Welcome, Leanne, to The Peace Brain Show!

Leanne, as head of all the Education programs at JZG, which includes this WILD program - could you share your most inspiring fact or experience of this WILD program?

Thank you, Leanne White!

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50 minutes

8. – FINAL WRAP UP –Chris Conner 3 minutes

I’m going to bring back Chris Conner, WILD program coordinator, for a last discussion and comment.

Chris - You know that my passion is to get zoos and aquariums to label themselves as “Peace Parks”, and promote community dialogue on peaceful solutions in society. However most zoo and aquarium directors ask – what’s the connection between peace and animal conservation? Your award-wining diversity program, WILD, at Jacksonville seems to fit this bill – it is truly about leadership building and promoting a better human world. How do you see this WILD program relating to peace?

[3-minute WRAP-UP!]

54 minutes

BACK TO GAIL

THANKS GUESTS

55 minutes

Thanks for tuning in today to The Peace Brain Show! If you would like to connect with us to assist your company or business in creating a Peace Park, where dialogue about peaceful community solutions can be held, please go to our website https://tourismforpeace.com or email me at hello@peacebrain.org.

Again, I want to thank my guests from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for being on the show today. You can find more about their Wildlife Immersion and Leadership Development (WILD) Program at jacksonvillezoo Look for it under the Education tab!

then Gail ends with:

NOW, Please go forth and activate your Peace Brain, and put YOUR Peace Park on the World Peace Trails map! Many Blessings.

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56 minutes

Thank you for joining us on The Peace Brain Show! You can find us at TourismForPeace Be sure to check out Dr. Gail’s Akashic Records readings, her Peace Master Plans for your business or organization, and her book, “#OptforPeace: 9 Essential Steps To Achieving Peace, Power, and Prosperity”.  

Tune-in to BBS Radio, Station 1 every other Wednesday at 6pm Pacific and 9pm Eastern to The Peace Brain Show for your next installment of wonder, inspiration and practical Peace!