Before coming to the Chattanooga Nature Center in 2002, Dr. Jean Lomino had been a classroom teacher for 20 years, the last four spent working on an environmental science project with middle school students. When she was hired by the Nature Center as its director of education, it was a natural transition. Three years later, she became the center’s executive director.
Since that time, the Nature Center has expanded from a small but respected place for naturalists to enjoy the area’s flora and fauna to a center nationally known for its work in protected endangered animals.
Q: How does the Nature Center benefit Chattanooga?
A: It offers an easily accessible retreat — a total immersion — into the natural world. It gives people of all ages opportunities for intimate, one-on-one encounters with our native plants and animals and helps them get better acquainted with this place we call home. School programming is one of our most important contributions to this community, and for over 30 years CNC has provided exciting outdoor field classes for 13,000 to 15,000 students each year.
About herName: Dr. Jean Lomino.Education: Ph.D. in leadership in environmental education.Family: Husband, Joe; grown children Jeff, Jerry and Julie; grandson, Jack.Last book read: “Guns, Germs and Steel” by Jared DiamondFavorite animal at Nature Center: I love them all, but believe it or not, my favorites are the American crows. They are so intelligent, socially interactive and always entertaining to watch.Since becoming executive director, Jean Lomino has overseen:* A new red wolf breeding enclosure that resulted in the Nature Center’s first litter of pups born in the spring of 2007.* A life-size eagle nest.* The “Hidden Creatures of the Forest’ exhibit in the Visitor Center* The red wolf exhibit in the Visitor Center* A new reception area in the Visitor Center* A Lyndhurst grant that funded canoe storage building, along with 10 new canoes and equipment.* A Lyndhurst grant that funded the Paddler’s Perch lodging facility and new dock.
Q: Other than the wolves, what endangered species can one see by coming to the Nature Center?
A: Most of the endangered species in Tennessee are freshwater mussels, crayfish and wildflowers, so it is unlikely that you would see any of these during a visit. The Nature Center is home to a bald eagle. Bald eagles were recently threatened but removed from the list in 2007. In our reptile collection, we do have the northern pine snake that is threatened at the state level. But really, the only native endangered animals housed at CNC are the red wolves.
Q: What plans do you have for more expansion?
A: Now that we have the Paddler’s Perch and an improved dock, we would like to expand our canoe program and possibly open it up to the general public. Currently, only members have canoe privileges. To accomplish this, we will need to establish an outdoor adventure building, add more canoes to our fleet and increase staffing. We also need a new wildlife clinic building. Plans have been drawn up for an amphitheater in the woods that will provide a new venue for music and the arts, as well as school and public programs. After 30 years, our buildings are in need of a face-lift.
Q: The red wolves are one of the Nature Center’s most interesting projects. What does it mean for the Nature Center and Chattanooga to be so heavily involved in the Red Wolf Project?
A: Because the red wolf was the top predator and a keystone species, when it disappeared from our region, its prey — deer, beavers and raccoons — were no longer held in check, and they soon overpopulated our ecosystem. This has led to many more human/animal encounters and an increase in contagious diseases such as rabies and Lyme disease. And now, of course, the coyote has moved into our area to fill the red wolf’s niche. It is crucial for people to understand the importance of keeping our ecosystem healthy. Seeing the beautiful and powerful red wolf in person helps to illustrate this concept.