being a naturalist according to Zachary
Beach Combing and photography at Padre Island National Seashore (Circa 2018)
I have been a naturalist ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Going back to my early days to the age of four; I was big into the realm of Paleontology. Dinosaurs; those “Terrible Lizards” from the ancient past captured my imagination. I was obsessed with the Land Before Time films and then when I got older I became a huge Jurassic Park nerd. Science and science fiction played a big role in my life and still do. Dinosaurs and fossil hunts were among my early windows into the naturalist way of life. I would dig in my backyard all the time (much to my grandmother’s dismay) she taught me to hone my digging skills into gardening. It was then I became interested in planting flowers. However, planting things was just for fun at the early stages. It wasn’t until 4th Grade when I would get a glimpse into my future… one fateful day as we packed up for the summer. My 4th Grade Teacher a Mrs. Leslie Bettis pulled me over for a moment in the hallway. It was in that last half of the school year she had been raising Silk Worm moths for one of her classes. I became so enamored with watching them as they grew from tiny caterpillars to larger caterpillars. Being autistic my focus was taken over by these guys. I would write in my journal how they were looking and growing (sometimes it was distracting and I had be redirected back to my seat). However, it was my curiosity that she noticed. She handed me a cup with two silkworm moths. “I know these were not for your class. Yet, you showed deep interest in these little things. I want you to have a couple to finish your observation.” that is what she had told me as she handed me the cup containing two yellowed cocoons each one containing a precious soon-to-be moth.
It was in this phase of my life I would get into the world of Lepidoptera. I spent the next few weeks watching them and we had a huge storm roll through and I got to watch my moths hatch using a flashlight. Our power went out for while and I got see these little moths emerge and I did what I could to learn all about moths and butterflies. Lepidoptera is the scientific order (Scaled Ones or Scaled Wings). These tiny moths were my window into the world I would take on. I began growing nothing but pollinator friendly plants with my family. My grandmother, aunt, brother, and grandfather and I would always find ourselves at some plant shop looking for plants that would attract many different species.
Then in high school I would become part of the Future Farmers of America program and I would find my place in the naturalist mindset. From animal management courses to taking care of rabbits. I participated in a cattle judging contest and took horticulture. I took ever class I could in the Agriculture Sciences. Then one day it was time to sign up for the next contest this was back in 2011 in the spring. I had just showed my rabbits in the Martin, Arlington, Mansfield Highschool Tri-chapter Stock Show. Now it was time to go back to the “UIL” mindset. I wanted to do the Wildlife contest. However, it was going to be a waitlist and I may have not got in. Equine was not even a main interest; however, my teacher Kristin Phillips now Kristin Clark came up to me. “You know we have only two people signed up for Entomology and we can use a third to qualify as a team.” I was not sure what entomology was so I asked… “the study of insects.” Besides some moths and a few beetles and ants I was on the fence of being around bugs… now if you saw me in person today and were to ask me about insects; I could take you on many a rabbit hole. I am passionate about insects now.
In my life these were some of the most important moments in my history. My teams and I both took first place in the FFA contests in 2011 and 2012 for entomology. I went back as a team captain in the 2012 Senior year run. However, in 2012 I became rather interested in something else; and that was birds. Birding and entomology had a profound effect on my life as a young naturalist. It brought me to becoming a Texas Master Naturalist in 2016. Yet before life took a swing at me. I found myself in the hospital having surgery to have scare tissue removed and a stint put in due to my enlarged kidney. I was born with this and it was not a matter of if; but when I was going to have it. I held out until the age of 19. It was in that fall my grandmother got me a camera; a Nikon Coolpix L830 and I used that to document wildlife around Townley Elm. In Everman Texas. I had gotten a couple of books as a graduation present and one of them was a Peterson’s Guide to Birds of Western North America. Not a complete birds guide but still very useful. It was a gift from one of my teachers. I still have it in my collection to this day. From that time I was growing my naturalist legs. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. Nature has always been in my blood and always will be. I started photographing birds almost strictly. Sometimes I would photograph the occasional mammal or bug. However, I was set out to be strictly a birder. However, on my first trip to Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve (Southwest Nature Preserve then) I was told I would make a great Master Naturalist.
Yours Truly at Coppell North Lake April, 26th 2026 participating in the City Nature Challenge.
I have spent the bigger chunk of my life being in the field and learning and teaching. When I was in grade school my grades were always on the rocks. I was not a bad kid; I was just highly unorganized. Yet, I was told I’d never be able to go to college. I am stubborn and hardheaded and do not take no for an answer; if its important to me and for the greater good I meet life halfway on that. So I went to TCC and it was in that time I became a Texas Master Naturalist. In 2012 I started TCC South and Southeast Campus. I struggled but in 2016 I became a TMN trainee. I finally graduated in 2022 after nearly ten years of figuring out what I wanted to do. Math skills were a killer and I had taken the second algebra class 10 times or so. I had to test out of math and found my outlet to be photography. Then I transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington and in the winter of 2025 I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Art in Art as a Photography major and Museum Studies Minor. It has landed me a job at the Fort Worth Zoo where I work at the Texas Nature Traders area.
It was a whirlwind from becoming a TMN member to helping with animal care at the Fort Worth Nature Center, helping with summer camps and festivals at River Legacy Nature Center among other events there, I spent some time at Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park in Mansfield Texas, I went to Roger’s Bird Sanctuary to volunteer for a time. I have been with many groups and organizations in this crazy life I lead. Yet, I have learned one thing… Life is a tapestry and all the creatures are interwoven. I love being a field rat and getting into the grime, muck, mire, and getting my camera in close to document all forms of wildlife.
A photo taken at Randol Mill Park on Earth Day 2023, Privet Removal
I am not just a nature photographer but I do all things that come with being a naturalist. That comes with teaching and getting my hands dirty in the sake of conservation. I love helping out with privet clean up and trash clean up. It’s all about making our planet safer and greener for our future generations. Photography just tells the story and highlights the creatures. I am a passionate learner and educator; I do it all. I am like a modern day Indiana Jones; always looking for the treasures of our natural world and exploring every possible part. Its a way to make life more richer and adventurous.
As Albert Einstein once said “Once you stop learning you start dying.” Staying young and curious is my goal in life. I am 31 and young but it’s always been my goal to always stay curious and learning about life’s many wonders and facets. It’s always good when you are out helping nature in the process; not just because it’s good but it’s right.
A photo of me setting up for my Photography class at River Legacy Nature Park.
It is part of my learning and passion that I can teach about things to help make others aware. Photography classes and just nature classes in general have become a staple in my life as a naturalist. To spread the joys of being naturally curious.
A photo of me from the Fort Worth Zoo teaching about Dragonflies (Odonata), in the back my Museum in a Box.
Teaching both kids and adults is always a delight. I get creative with it and love to explore with everyone. I never thought I would be a teacher when it came to nature but in a way we have to. If you are a photographer or a naturalist; or passionate about something; often one should teach about it. It’s a way to get others involved. It’s almost infectious when you can share in something and that person’s whole world opens up to new possibility. That is always my goal to use what I have available and to use my own resources and other resources to bring people close to nature. It’s aways worth exploring for it teaches everyone to care. Nature is constantly under fire; and you can see my gallery on the built environment and it’s heartbreaking what goes on when we do not work with nature.
It is my duty to show that it’s not one sided or doesn’t have to be. We can work with nature and nature can work with us if we try. It takes avocation to get the job done and with that diplomacy. The way I see it avocation is the softer quieter version of activism. Yes, both are valid but activism sometimes leads to the road of ruin. It can create the extreme effects. However, avocation is the softer of the good trouble and the path I take. It’s all about how you approach.
Looking for bugs in the water during STEM teacher training with the Native Prairies Association.
It call comes back to getting into the muck and thick of it all and exploring the world. Taking what we find and then putting it all together. Life is a joy and nature has always been my mission. I am grateful to all of my friends and mentors who helped push me through. In the coming months I will be learning how to swim. May 18th is my first class for that. With that I plan to take it to the depths with snorkeling and then diving. Seeing nature first hand is always the key to understand it’s condition. I have never believed that there isn’t such a thing as climate change. I have felt stuff and seen stuff one normally wouldn’t. I have seen declines of species and areas being churned up something fierce. Yet, I am not one to sit down; I am a doer and explore to help nature and to inspire others to find solutions.
I am a naturalist to help folks understand the world of wildlife. I explore to bring the world of wildlife closer to the masses. I believe nature is a big part of our lives and without it we are doomed to an unpleasant fate. Some folks will disagree… however, as I have come to know the insects and the birds, and how life has changed and taken many forms we either will work with it and survive or work against it and suffer the consequence.
During a survey of a friend’s property. Holding a Dragonfly exuvia.
I choose to think that we can thrive if we learn from the land. I choose to think there is something far better when we chose to work with nature and protect it. Conservation is much stronger than mere preservation. Yet, preservation is the first step and that is where the wonders of citizen science play a big part. Yet, once we have many players on board things begin to change for the better of the collective. Nature is our life support and it’s woven into the very fabric of our bodies. We shutdown the motherboard we unravel the whole network. It takes all of us to do our part to aid local ecology and understand what is happening to it. Be creative, stay positive and get out and explore something new. Never stop learning and never stop growing. There is so much to life and you’ll be amazed at where the road will take you. For me the road is all part of the journey and to the naturalist you just have to take it. It’s full of wonders beyond your wildest dreams and whatever you are into; if you have a dream don’t just let it come to you… it will pass you on by. Get up, lace up your boots, make a plan and get on out there and chase that dream. Meet it and make that dream a reality. A dream will not come true without correct actions and mentors to help you.
Always look for the helpers as Mr. Roger’s once said. Not just when times seems scary but helpers are there to help you in life. Seek those who are wise and deep in the understanding that you yourself want to understand. That is the key to success.
