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Our Founders
Chelonia Eco-Adventures are highly personalized, hands-on, educational experiences that enrich the lives of participants creating unforgettable moments. These programs were devised by a husband and wife team (Dr. Brady Barr and Mei Len Sanchez-Barr) who are passionate about conservation, education, and research. See their story below.
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Who We Are Our Founders Our Staff
Our Founders ... Our Story
Brady and I grew up in very different areas. Brady grew up in the cornfields of Bloomington, Indiana, and I in the city of San Jose, Costa Rica. One thing we had in common was that we were exposed to nature in various outdoor experiences at a young age. In addition, our parents often took us to local zoos where we saw amazing animals that inspired us to become biologists. Whether it was exploring the limestone quarries in Indiana, to watching sea turtles nesting in Costa Rica or touching a live animal at the zoo, we truly believe that these interactive experiences we had with nature and animals as young children, were defining moments in our lives that have made us who we are today.
With over 35 combined years of experience in Conservation Education, field research, program development, implementation, and management, we developed a variety of hands-on, field interactive, “Eco Ed-Ventures”.
We at Chelonia Eco-Adventures are committed to providing the finest in conservation education. We offer a rich assortment of “hands on” learning experiences with nature, all in a safe, carefully supervised, co-educational setting with some exceptional scientists/educators as instructors. We are confident that this experience will surely have a lasting, positive effect on the students. For some like us, it will prove to be a defining moment in planning their college majors, focusing on specific career possibilities, and for engaging them with a new appreciation of the wonders of nature, conservation, and scientific investigation. Our programs not only provide a scientific learning experience, but students have fun in the process. Parents often report that our expeditions represent one of the highlights in their child’s educational life. We stand ready to “Experience the Extraordinary” with your child and make this an unforgettable adventure which will be sure to last a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Mei Len & Brady
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Mei Len Sanchez-Barr
Marine Biologist and Educator
Chelonia Eco-Adventures- President & Field Leader
National Aquarium in Baltimore- Educator
Mei Len’s varied career is a testament to her lifelong passion for the conservation of the environment and its inhabitants. Her passion for endangered and threatened species such as the Florida manatee, sea turtles, and alligators, has earned her accolades from the mayor of Miami for her efforts towards public conservation awareness. As an advocate for young minority women in science, she was also featured in Baltimore Times for her interesting career and achievements, celebrating women’s history month March 2002. She was also chosen to appear in Latina Magazine June issue 2006, as the featured inspirational Hispanic woman in marine biology careers. Committed to conservation and education, Mei Len has been an educator since college, working for various zoological institutions such as: Busch Gardens in Tampa, the Miami Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle and Gardens, and National Audubon Society (NAS) where she lead and coordinated residential programs for groups in grades K-12. These programs focus on the ecology and history of south Florida, Everglades and the Florida Keys. Mei Len was most recently in management in the Conservation Education Department at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, where she developed and implemented the renowned Aquarium’s visitor programs. The Costa Rica native was also an adjunct professor at Florida International University in Miami, where she taught ecology of south Florida.
Aside from her management and educational career, Mei Len’s fascination began with field research and crocodilians in 1995, when she became involved in the University of Miami’s Alligator Project. This research consisted of looking at the diet of the American alligator involving the capture of the animals and stomach-pumping method of obtaining data, as well as analysis of data in the lab. Her field research extends all over the world from monitoring Florida beaches for sea turtle nests, to conducting a diet study on the dwarf crocodile in Gabon, Africa with Smithsonian scientists and husband, Dr. Brady Barr . Mei Len is also, a principle investigator of National Geographic Society’s Acutus Project 2001-2003 in Costa Rica, where she is responsible for developing and implementing hands-on educational programs and in 2002, she was appointed Vice President of the “Asociacion de Expertos en Cocodrilos (AEC)- Costa Rica” (Association of Crocodile Experts). She currently holds the position of Crocodilian Advisory Group (CAG) Education Liaison for the Association for Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA), where Mei Len is an instructor at AZA professional development/graduate course: “Crocodilian Population and Captive Management”. She also coordinates educational and fundraising events and materials.
Mei Len is a graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Marine Science. She is currently working on her master’s degree at George Mason University in Conservation Education. She and husband, Dr. Brady Barr have a 2 year old daughter, and reside in Maryland along with their yellow lab- Margie and numerous reptiles.
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Dr. Brady Barr
National Geographic resident Herpetologist & TV Personality
Chelonia Eco-Adventures- Vice President and Field Leader
Chelonia Eco-Associates- Workshop and Speaker’s Bureau presenter
National Geographic reptile expert Dr. Brady Barr is the first person ever to capture and study all 23 species of crocodilians in the wild. For over 15 years and through 50 countries, his goal has been to get hands-on experience with crocs in their natural habitats in order to understand how best to preserve them in the wild. An accomplishment consuming 15 years, 50 countries, and numerous broken bones, bites, and bruises. His stories are legendary!
Approximately one-third of all croc species are endangered and Brady’s extraordinary achievement brings worldwide attention to their plight through hosting the National Geographic Channel series Reptile Wild with Dr. Brady Barr, Croc Chronicles, and his new special series Dangerous Encounters. Brady has hosted over 60 wildlife documentaries, more than anyone in the history of National Geographic. In addition, his work in television includes: A FOX Network Special: Supercroc, Appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, The View, CNN News Briefs.
Brady has also participated in other research projects with leading scientists throughout the world including his ongoing research, supported by the National Geographic Society, into conservation of the American crocodile in Costa Rica, and his dietary study of alligators in the Florida Everglades. Brady is also an appointed member of the international Crocodilian Specialist Group and key member and Treasurer of the “Asociacion de Expertos en Cocodrilos (AEC)- Costa Rica” (Association of Crocodile Experts).
Brady was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Bloomington, Indiana. He received a Bachelor of Science in science education from Indiana University in 1987 and, shortly thereafter, began his teaching career at Indianapolis’ North Central High School. Brady taught such subjects as zoology, biology, and earth and life sciences, championing an interactive classroom and was recognized as one of 30 outstanding educators in the state of Indiana. Today, he continues to teach through television, speaking appearances, and leading field excursions with students through Chelonia Eco-Adventures, a dream that him and his wife Mei Len realized. Some of his recent speaking engagements include: keynote speaker at the National Science Teachers Association, Annual Convention World Congress of Zoologists, Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, and numerous schools, zoos, aquariums, & museums across the country.
Moving to Florida to pursue graduate degrees at the University of Miami, Brady began extensive diet studies on alligators in Everglades National Park. The results of this ambitious research project have helped preserve the unique ecosystem. Brady received a Master of Science (1994) and a Ph.D. (1997) in Biology from the University of Miami. He resides in Maryland with wife Mei Len and 2 year old daughter.
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