Upcoming Meeting Information:

COME CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO WITH US!

Monthly Meeting May 5, 2026  

6:00 PM Social Time

No Potluck, but snacks are welcome. (Hint: It's Cinco de Mayo and we are bringing guacamole, chips and salsa)

6:30 PM Meeting 

Foundation for Southeast Texas Building

700 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77701

Ben Jones of the Houston Zoo

"See Them, Save Them: What a Zoo Can Do"

Ben Jones has 25 years in wildlife conservation with tenures at zoo-based conservation organizations and national wildlife institutions. As Houston Zoo’s vice president of conservation and education, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the Zoo’s Conservation Education, Guest Engagement, and Wildlife Conservation departments. This team of 25 staff work to advance the Zoo’s mission through community-based wildlife conservation programs on the Zoo campus, across greater Houston, and around the world.

Ben grew up in Nederland, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, and a master’s in reproductive physiology. He worked for Arthur Andersen as a business analyst, National Audubon Society in multiple roles including Texas State Director of Education, and served with the Dallas Zoo for 15 years in various capacities including senior director of conservation. Ben also led the Texas affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation as executive director of the Texas Conservation Alliance.

A professional fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Ben serves as chair of the Association’s Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program and as a member of the Wildlife Conservation Committee. He serves on the boards of Gorilla Doctors, Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders, Save Giraffes Now, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s State Parks Advisory Committee. Ben is a former board member of the Big Thicket Association and serves as an advisor to the Texas Black Bear Alliance. In 2021, he was named a Texan of the Year finalist by the Dallas Morning News for his leadership with “Lights Out Texas”, a campaign to save migratory birds from window collisions.
Ben is interested in the human dimensions of wildlife conservation and is passionate about saving wildlife as a context for life-long learning, stronger communities, and enriched life.