There is no greater honor than my love of the natural world, living beyond me. 

By Mary Kaitlyn Johnson

When I was just 13, my parents bought me a tub for soaking my feet. Why? Well, it's a “legacy of learning” that began when I was only 5 years old. I loved to visit the Birmingham Zoo. One incident, in particular, is what led me to need something to soak my feet 9 years later.

During that exceptional visit, I placed my hand on the glass of the squirrel monkey exhibit. A squirrel monkey suddenly placed his hand on the other side of the glass, against mine, and I found myself in love. I knew then that I wanted to work with animals in some form. In the zoo’s reptile house, I would recite all my knowledge (which was quite formidable) of the creatures that resided behind the glass, though most visitors kept walking. It seemed most people doubted the veracity of the information being given by a 5-year-old.  At that young age, my journey on a “Legacy of learning” had begun.

As the years went by, I learned all I could, but my goal of becoming a Birmingham Zoo volunteer seemed as distant as the fabled “Gorillas in the Mist,” as the minimum age to serve was 13. Yet, there was light at the end of the tunnel that came at age 11. My Mom and I “brokered a deal," meaning that she would volunteer, and I could “come along.” Thus, the youngest volunteer ever at the Birmingham Zoo was a happy 11-year-old.  I spent Halloween in the bat cave and explained the real benefits of these bats (for example, a bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in one night.) I also acted as a circus ringmaster, calling out to zoo visitors to come see a special presentation and I was pretty good at it too. Who can turn down a little girl in the cold calling out, “show in 10 minutes, come see the show in 10 minutes!”  I helped small children write letters to Santa and deposit them into Santa’s mailbox.

When I turned 13, I couldn't wait until I was an official volunteer, of my own accord. I still needed to fulfill the requirements of working two weeks in the summer, 8 hours a day. Unfortunately, I have joint problems and just plain old bad feet. By the end of each day, I needed to soak my poor swollen feet and ankles (hence, the foot tub). Yet, I was the happiest I could have been and my “legacy of learning” was in the making.

       I am now a supervising volunteer; a trained animal handler and I was the first ever recipient of the title Junior Docent at The Birmingham Zoo. My time at the Bat Cave, as a ringleader, those letters to Santa, and countless other experiences I’ve had, were a part of a legacy of education. I have been gifted with a "legacy'' of learning. 

 One type of legacy that can be left behind is education. This type of legacy has been important to me my entire life. Education imparted to others' lives on after you and even propagates itself, as others pass on what they have learned from you. The type of legacy I hope to leave is my love and knowledge of the natural world.

 The “legacy of learning” I was given at the zoo fostered my dream for a college education, to earn my PHD in Marine Biology, so that I can teach on a college level.  Since I was 5 years old, my volunteer work at The Birmingham Zoo and my future college education was not just a goal, it has always been a part of who I am. I can think of no greater honor than sharing this legacy, so that my love of the natural world will live on beyond me.

There is a frog on my head!

Mary Kaitlyn's

Animal Page

I took this "selfie" on my certification dive... look at that hair! 

I really love Blue Tongue Skinks, but you can't tell it by the look on my face. ; )

Mary Kaitlyn at 5-years old with a Squirrel monkey

Black bears come in more colors than black. They can be black, brown, cinnamon, blond, blue-gray, or white

Corn Snake named "ZERO"

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