Trevor Zoo Hosts Student Groups from Vassar College
Dr. Lynn Christenson's and Dr. Stuart Belli's lab sections of their course, Essentials of Environmental Science, visited the zoo to gain an appreciation of the role of the modern zoo in conservation.
Trevor Zoo Director Dr. Tousignant presented a lecture on the subject discussing the history of the Trevor Zoo and the role it plays in the larger collaborative effort of Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities working around the globe on a myriad of conservation projects.
The visit was particularly meaningful as one of the Vassar students was freshman Addison Tate, son of former Millbrook faculty member Alan B. Tate (1980-1990) and grandson of another former faculty member Seward T. Highley (1968-1987).
Seward Highley came to Millbrook when Frank Trevor retired and chaired Millbrook’s Science Department. He also oversaw the zoo until Jono Meigs returned to Millbrook in 1972; he was a longtime mentor of Jono's, collaborating closely with him to not only keep the zoo running but to make improvements. The school’s wetlands preserve and boardwalk is named in honor of Seward.
When Dr. Tousignant graduated from Vassar in 1984 and started working at Millbrook (as Jono’s intern), he began a connection with Vassar's fieldwork program. Over the years the Trevor Zoo has provided more than twenty-five Vassar students with a hands-on zoological experience and plans to continue this tradition for years to come.
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