This summer, a partnership between Nashville Zoo and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) reached across the globe and connected thousands of students in Tennessee with conservation work in Zimbabwe through the Wildlife Research Scholars Program.
As part of the program, Nashville Zoo’s Director of Education, Roger Torbert, and School Programs Manager, Thaisa Bell, joined MNPS staff in traveling to Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Their mission: to foster a connection between students in Nashville and conservationists working to protect wildlife across southern Africa.
Left: Thaisa and Brent Bell recording footage for Zoo programs | Right: Rogert Tobert, Dr. Sarah Huneycutt and Jan Giuffrida releasing genets back into the wild
Real-Time Learning
In just three days, the team led live virtual sessions that reached nearly 4,000 students across ten schools, an unprecedented impact for the Zoo’s education department.
“I’ve never seen an impact on this scale in such a short window,” said Roger. “We connected with almost 4,000 learners and more than 100 teachers. When you remember those students were literally on the other side of the globe, it feels almost unbelievable.”
But this program is about more than just numbers, it’s about connection.
“A core part of our mission is to inspire our community to connect with, care about, and help conserve the natural world,” Roger continued. “This partnership allows for sustained engagement, something rare and incredibly valuable. We’re not just sparking interest for a day. We’re nurturing a conservation ethic that could last a lifetime.”
For MNPS, this partnership stands out as a model for immersive and meaningful education.
“The Nashville Zoo is providing educational experiences and connections to our students and teachers that are not available to everyone,” said Heather Ihde, MNPS Experiential Learning Coordinator. “It connects student learning in the classroom to real-world problems and careers in their community.”
“This unique blend of global perspective, expert collaboration, and curriculum integration is what makes the MNPS, Nashville Zoo partnership a truly one-of-a-kind educational experience,” added Dr. Sarah Huneycutt, MNPS Manager of Experiential Learning. “It embeds a deep respect and understanding for science and nature directly into classroom learning.”
Students at McMurray Middle School participating in a live virtual lesson
Conservation in Action
The team shadowed conservationists at Chipangali to witness fieldwork firsthand. One experience involved helping relocate three genets, a type of small carnivore, that was deemed a threat by a local farmer. In the past, these animals might have been killed. But thanks to years of relationship-building with local communities, the farmer called Chipangali instead.
The team helped trap and safely relocate the animals to Matobo National Park. “Witnessing this work firsthand was a powerful reminder that conservation isn’t just about protecting animals,” the Zoo team reflected, “it’s about changing minds, building trust, and finding better solutions together.”
At Matobo, the team also joined drone-assisted black eagle nest monitoring efforts. With the aid of this technology, conservationists can now observe nests with greater precision and accuracy, replacing traditional binoculars with high-flying drones.
Supporting Future Conservationists
Initiatives like this are possible thanks to the generosity of our community. To give more local students access to programs like these, please consider donating to the Zoo’s scholarship drive this summer.
From now until Labor Day, the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation will match your gift, dollar for dollar up to $13,000!
By donating today, you can help more local students take part in life-changing programs that connect them with global conservation and foster the next generation of wildlife protectors.
To learn more or to contribute, click here.
The live stream setup to connect with students in Nashville from Zimbabwe
Stories That Stick
For Thaisa, one moment stood out: a close-up encounter with a mother and daughter white rhino.
“We stood just a few feet from them, watching them graze peacefully,” she recalled. “Then we spoke to the rangers, who told us they love these animals so much that they’re willing to risk their lives to protect them. Their passion and commitment were humbling, and it reinforced how vital conservation efforts are in safeguarding these magnificent creatures.”
For Roger, it was the moment that excitement turned into real learning.
“Early on, there was a lot of student excitement around the novelty of connecting live from Zimbabwe,” he said, “but as we progressed, that gave way to more meaningful conversations. We were able to shift the focus from the ‘wow’ factor to real connections and content, and that’s when we knew we were making a lasting impact.”
Rhinos grazing
Looking Ahead
For the Zoo, this is the first step in a much larger initiative.
“This gives us the opportunity for continuous engagement with students and educators in our immediate community,” Roger said. “It allows us to introduce conservation issues in a meaningful way and spark interest in wildlife careers that students may not have otherwise considered.”
Thaisa added, “We saw how powerful these connections can be through the opportunity to witness conservation in action. By bringing these experiences back to our education programs, we can empower students to see themselves as part of a global effort to protect wildlife.”
For MNPS, the hope is that this kind of learning helps students see their place in the world and their power to shape it.
“Even if a student never travels outside of Tennessee, they feel more connected and interested in the world around them because of the connections they’ve made through the Zoo and conservation organizations,” Heather said. “It becomes a part of their community.”
Whether in-person or virtually, Nashville Zoo and MNPS are proving that conservation has no borders and that education, when paired with real-world experience, can spark a lifetime of action.