After being at the helm in an interim capacity, Dr. Jared Wood has been named manager of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. Jared has more than 15 years of experience in natural resource management, conservation, and education, positioning him as an exceptional leader for one of the nation’s largest city-owned nature centers.
Since joining the City of Fort Worth in August 2023 as the Nature Center’s Natural Resources Supervisor and, most recently, as Interim Manager, Jared has played a pivotal role in advancing conservation efforts at the Nature Center. Under his leadership, the team has conducted record-breaking prescribed burns, expanded habitat restoration initiatives, and launched collaborative research programs, including a study on the Nature Center’s American alligator population. His innovative outreach strategies have significantly increased community engagement and strengthened support for the Nature Center’s mission.
Prior to his tenure with the City, Jared served as associate professor of zoology at Southwestern Adventist University and as director of the university’s Dinosaur Museum & Research Center, where he led transformative projects, including the development of one of the largest paleontological field stations in the U.S.
His extensive background in public-private partnerships, education, and strategic planning aligns seamlessly with the Nature Center’s long-term goals.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue building on the incredible work of past and present staff, volunteers, and community partners,” Jared states. “The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is a true ecological gem, and I am committed to ensuring its protection, sustainable enhancement, and accessibility for future generations.”
Jared says he is looking forward to working under the new leadership of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Director Dave Lewis, highlighting Mayor Mattie Parker’s Good Natured Open Space Initiative as a critical framework for enhancing the community’s connection to natural and cultural resources, and is particularly excited to strengthen the partnership with the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
“I’m very excited to support Dave’s vision and help advance the mayor’s initiative,” Jared reveals. “Working closely with the Friends will be crucial, and I am thrilled to collaborate with them to ensure the Nature Center remains a national model for conservation and education.”
