Conservation

Chehaw is dedicated to protecting endangered species and their habitats. Responsible zoological facilities contribute to conservation through research and education and provide guests the opportunity to develop personal connections with animals. By fostering these connections, Chehaw has the opportunity to help society cultivate an appreciation for wildlife populations in their native habitats.

Conservation efforts at Chehaw Park & Zoo include:

• Support of in-situ conservation efforts

• Support of ex-situ conservation efforts

• Interpretive materials with a conservation message

• Education programming with a conservation message

• Implementation of Green Practices across Park and Zoo operations

• Participation in AZA Animal Management Programs

• Maintaining natural biodiversity and habitat health through proper maintenance of the property and wetlands

All animals in the Zoo’s exhibit and education collections serve as ambassadors for their wild relatives and native homes. Chehaw follows all guidelines and recommendations regarding AZA and other reputable population management programs.

Chehaw also supports various in-situ conservation programs including:

Cheetah Conservation Fund

The Cheetah Conservation Fund strives to prevent cheetah population decline in its natural habitat. Through education and by implementing beneficial programs for native people, CCF promotes predator-friendly livestock management techniques with farmers whose animals may be targeted by wild cheetahs.

International Rhino Foundation

The International Rhino Foundation is dedicated to the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation, research, and education. IRF supports a number of initiatives to combat poaching and funds research programs that may contribute to the long-term survival of all rhino species.

Project Heloderma

Project Heloderma’s mission is to conserve the critically endangered Guatemalan beaded lizard and its habitat in the Motagua Valley. Directly because of this program, the number of lizards killed by local inhabitants has been reduced, and the captive breeding program is successfully bringing about the elevation of the species.

Our Staff

Parker Webb Douglas- Director of Membership & Development

Parker Webb Douglas is a native of Albany and a graduate of Deerfield-Windsor School. She attended the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. After college, Parker returned to Albany and worked in real estate, where she gained a greater understanding of what it means to work and build a life in the city of Albany. She, her husband Rob, and their two children are firmly rooted in the community. Parker remains committed to making life better for all of Albany’s residents.

Tommy Gregors- Director of Artesian Alliance

A native Albanian, Tommy Gregors has served as Executive Director of Thronateeska Heritage Center since 2002, Flint RiverQuarium since 2013, and Chehaw Park & Zoo since 2019. Prior to his employment at Thronateeska, he worked for the Georgia Wildlife Federation as Special Projects Manager. Tommy is a member of the board of directors for the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Southwest Georgia Chapter of Quail Forever, and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. He also serves on the Albany Citizens Transportation Committee, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs CDBG Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Albany Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Tommy is married to his wife Sandy, who is the Albany Visitor Center Manager.

Morgan Seegmueller Burnette- Director of Chehaw

Named the Director of Chehaw Park & Zoo in 2020, Morgan Burnette blends her passion for wildlife with leadership in providing excellent guest experiences. She has worked at Chehaw in a variety of roles since 2010. A native Albanian, Morgan happily returned to her much-loved hometown after graduating from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree in communication and an emphasis in public relations. Morgan is passionate about serving her community and strives to make a difference any way she can. She is involved with Dougherty County Rotary, Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leadership Albany, and co-founded a nonprofit called Happy Trails of SOWEGA. She enjoys spending her free time in nature with her daughter Bennett and her dogs and horses. Morgan is enthusiastic about the opportunities for Chehaw and the potential benefits to the community through the avenue of the Artesian Alliance.

Jackie Entz- Director of Education

Jackie Entz Shores serves as the Director of Education for the Artesian Alliance. In this role, she oversees and coordinates all education staff and programming for the Alliance. Jackie was previously employed at the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, where she also earned her Master of Science degree. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia Southwestern University. Jackie is excited about the joint educational opportunities that lie ahead for the Artesian Alliance.

Samantha Kerns Sassone- Director of Living Collections

As the Director of Living Collections, Samantha works with curators at both Chehaw Park & Zoo and the Flint RiverQuarium to create a consistent and high standard of care and welfare for all animals managed by the Artesian Alliance. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Marshall University and an Associate of Science in Zoo Animal Technology from Santa Fe Community College. Samantha previously worked as a zookeeper at the Lubee Bat Conservancy and Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens before arriving at Chehaw Park & Zoo in 2009.

Tommy Gregors- Director of Artesian Alliance

A native Albanian, Tommy Gregors has served as Executive Director of Thronateeska Heritage Center since 2002, Flint RiverQuarium since 2013, and Chehaw Park & Zoo since 2019. Prior to his employment at Thronateeska, he worked for the Georgia Wildlife Federation as Special Projects Manager. Tommy is a member of the board of directors for the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Southwest Georgia Chapter of Quail Forever, and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. He also serves on the Albany Citizens Transportation Committee, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs CDBG Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Albany Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Tommy is married to his wife Sandy, who is the Albany Visitor Center Manager.
Morgan Seegmueller Burnette- Director of Chehaw

Named the Director of Chehaw Park & Zoo in 2020, Morgan Burnette blends her passion for wildlife with leadership in providing excellent guest experiences. She has worked at Chehaw in a variety of roles since 2010. A native Albanian, Morgan happily returned to her much-loved hometown after graduating from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree in communication and an emphasis in public relations. Morgan is passionate about serving her community and strives to make a difference any way she can. She is involved with Dougherty County Rotary, Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leadership Albany, and co-founded a nonprofit called Happy Trails of SOWEGA. She enjoys spending her free time in nature with her daughter Bennett and her dogs and horses. Morgan is enthusiastic about the opportunities for Chehaw and the potential benefits to the community through the avenue of the Artesian Alliance.
Jackie Entz- Director of Education

Jackie Entz Shores serves as the Director of Education for the Artesian Alliance. In this role, she oversees and coordinates all education staff and programming for the Alliance. Jackie was previously employed at the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, where she also earned her Master of Science degree. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia Southwestern University. Jackie is excited about the joint educational opportunities that lie ahead for the Artesian Alliance.
Samantha Kerns Sassone- Director of Living Collections

As the Director of Living Collections, Samantha works with curators at both Chehaw Park & Zoo and the Flint RiverQuarium to create a consistent and high standard of care and welfare for all animals managed by the Artesian Alliance. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Marshall University and an Associate of Science in Zoo Animal Technology from Santa Fe Community College. Samantha previously worked as a zookeeper at the Lubee Bat Conservancy and Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens before arriving at Chehaw Park & Zoo in 2009.
Parker Webb Douglas- Director of Membership & Development

Parker Webb Douglas is a native of Albany and a graduate of Deerfield-Windsor School. She attended the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. After college, Parker returned to Albany and worked in real estate, where she gained a greater understanding of what it means to work and build a life in the city of Albany. She, her husband Rob, and their two children are firmly rooted in the community. Parker remains committed to making life better for all of Albany’s residents.

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