2011 CREW ReView - The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical GardenCenter for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife3400 Vine StreetCincinnati, Ohio 45220-1399 USANON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAIDCINCINNATI, OHIOPERMIT #1505From Passionate Employee to Invaluable Volunteer –Bernadette Plair Retires from CREWRare are the moments in life when one has an opportunity to help change the world. Throughout her career, BernadettePlair has been a pillar to CREW’s mission of Saving Species with Science. Not only has she seized a myriad of opportunities,but she patiently served and guided others to accomplish their professional and personal goals. Whether workingon assisted reproductive techniques in animals and plants, developing cryopreservation protocols for endangered plants,reintroducing Blue and gold macaws to Trinidad, mentoring co-op students or guiding ZVOs in the first Sumatran rhino cowcalf behavior study, Bernadette embraced the diversity of her learning and teaching opportunities with undaunted passion.Along with facilitating several local, national and international workshops, she instructed Earth Expeditions coursesin Trinidad, Belize and Namibia and supported the Zoo’sWild Research program and Zoo Expeditions in partnershipwith Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. She pioneeredCREW’s Scientists for the Future Overnight Program andpartnered with Polar Bears International to raise teen andcommunity awareness of climate change. “I see hope forthe future cradled in the arms of the next generation. I wantthem to understand how important it is for them to take upthis challenge”. Bernadette’s greatest inspiration remains herfamily. Fueled by the encouragement of her husband andthree children, she continued to pursue her dreams. Nowshe wants to devote more time to her three granddaughtersand will retire at the end of 2011. Her deep love and gratitudegoes to all who have made her 20+ years at the CincinnatiZoo & Botanical Garden so memorable and rewarding.Bernadette Plair2011 CREW ReView.indd 12 11/28/11 12:46 PM