Education Report 2020 8-17-2020 | Page 24

Forever Learning:
Learning at the Zoo may begin in one’s
childhood years, but it certainly does not stop
there. Rhoda Weinstein is a testament to that.
Growing up in New York and moving around
frequently for her job as a U.S. foreign services
officer, Weinstein spent her career engaging
with others.
Lifelong lovers of zoos and animals, Weinstein
and her husband, Bob, moved to Melbourne, FL
upon retirement and soon joined Brevard Zoo.
Before Expedition Africa opened in 2003,
Weinstein was invited to attend a preview of
the new exhibit, and it was then that she
decided to become a volunteer. Weinstein
spent the next 12 years volunteering in
Expedition Africa. She later moved to La Selva
(now Rainforest Revealed) to serve as a docent,
teaching Zoo visitors about wildlife, ecosystems
and conservation. She spends every Thursday
and Sunday with monkeys, sloths, giant otters
and other Latin American creatures.
greatly, they are all united by a passion
for animals and conservation.
When asked what she loves most about
volunteering, she replied, “as a retiree, it fits
my social needs. Every time I come to the Zoo,
I learn something new.”
In addition to learning, Rhoda also teaches
others. During her shifts, Weinstein and her
white binder are practically inseparable.
On the cover is the Zoo’s map and inside are
animal fact sheets, blog posts printed off
the Zoo’s website and hand-written notes
of information she’s gleaned from Zoo staff.
“Anything that I do, I do 110%,” she said,
“and that includes having as much knowledge
as possible to pass onto guests.”
Weinstein is part of an army of Zoo volunteers
that contribute nearly 100,000 hours of their
time every year. Though their assignments vary
23