Cameron Young

Snakes. Lizards. Turtles.  And a host of other reptiles and amphibians.  Who loves these creatures the most??

Meet  Cameron Young of My Nature Lab.  He is passionate about these unique and amazing creatures and is equally passionate about educating others, young and old, about their importance in our ecosystem and why they are so vital.  The educational accomplishments of Cameron and the My Nature Lab team were celebrated when they were recognized in 2019 as a top Education Center in Best of Louisville.

As I was conducting this interview, Cameron was making plans to expand.  I’m excited to help promote and share that it’s now official!  My Nature Lab will be moving to downtown Louisville on Pine Street.  (details on My Nature Lab FB page)

Congratulations Cameron on educating and spreading the word about these amazing creatures in the community – so much so that you are expanding into a new space!  Can’t wait to see it and thank you for sharing your passion with others.

 

Questions:

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: My entire life I’ve been fascinated with snakes. People always ask me, “Why snakes?” First, it’s because they are so misunderstood.  There are myths and false beliefs about them and in truth, they are pretty incredible.  For the longest time I thought I was going to be a vet.  I went to college and met a biologist, who took me out into the field and showed me wild snakes and their importance to a healthy ecosystem.  I then realized that snakes are under represented in science, in conservation efforts, and even more so in education.

I worked as an environmental consultant and felt I was not truly playing a role in conservation.  So, in 2011 I knew I wanted to do something different and I founded the Center for Snake Conservation. We had a huge online presence and were wildly successful on Facebook with our educational efforts. Our motto became “Conversation Through Education.” Our mission is to change human perceptions about snakes. In 2017 I walked away from the corporate world and focused on raising money to get the lab up and running, knowing that a physical location would positively change the Center for Snake Conversation.  I decided on the name, “My Nature Lab” because when the students and visitors say the name, I want them to know it is their lab.  It is here for them to come, learn, and be a part of the conservation effort.

Q: When did My Nature open?

A: We opened April 22, Earth Day, in 2018. Within this 2,000 square foot space we house all our animals and do our educational programs.  It’s too small and we are growing, so that’s why we are moving to a place about double the size. We can offer more programs, more classes, and hopefully an outdoor space.  It will be a lot of fun for people to see these animals outside.

Q: What is the message that you will tell them about My Nature Lab?

A: We focus on reptiles and amphibians. Most people don’t know much about them.  Birds and mammals for example, have amazing groups and organizations promoting their conversation, but there are not very many people focused on reptiles and amphibians.  Their conservation is impossible without education. For example, when a new development comes in, or you are getting ready to landscape your backyard, a lot of people think about the birds and the mammals.  We also need to think about the snakes and the amphibians. What can you do to make your backyard happier for toads?  If you have more toads, you have fewer insects in your yard and fewer pest in your garden.

The English language is very negative about snakes.  Yet, if you interact with one, you can see that they are not bad. They’re weird, they’re different, and they’re really, really cool.   Every single one has its own natural history and ecology of where they fit in the eco system. They are both prey and predators to all sorts of animals.  Snakes are critical for healthy eco system.

When you come to the lab and have touched and held one of these creatures, you now have a personal interaction or maybe even a personal attachment to them. And now you’re thinking about them at home and aware of their importance.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Lafayette/Louisville area?

A: I moved to Louisville in 2007.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant or something that you crave on a regular basis?

A: A burger from Mudrock’s Tap & Tavern.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A: I like to travel and would love to go to Australia. I haven’t been there and for snakes and the reptiles, it’s just the place to go!

Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

A: I am a Star Wars kind of person and have seen them all.  I was 5 or 6 when they started to get popular and enjoyed all the toys that followed. Ha

Q: What advice would you give to people?

A: Keep an open mind.  Most people have never seen a snake in person, yet they don’t like them.  I don’t get it.  There is a Buddhist quote that basically says, if you learn to love something conservation happens.  So, in order to love it, you need to experience it.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: Travel and to see snakes across the world! Part of that desire is to share those experiences with others in some way such as leading a field trip.  Last Sunday we led a field trip and it was some peoples’ first experience seeing beavers and they were shocked we have beavers here in Colorado!

Q: What is your vision for My Nature lab?

A: To build an educational program that other people around the world can use as a model. A lot of it is based on the experience the lab offers, and a lot of places don’t allow you to have such personal hands on experiences with these animals.

My hope is that when a building or a new housing subdivision is being planned that we’re taking into consideration not just how much money will be made, but the ecological impact. What’s the real cost of building and sometimes the answer needs to be no, it’s not worth it. That’s why Boulder is an incredible place to live.  One of the founding principles of the City of Boulder is “we have to protect our open space before we develop.” That is very unique. I’m not opposed to earning money, but let’s be responsible.

Q: What is your favorite music or three bands that you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A: I’m classic rock kind of a guy. Tom Petty. Unfortunately he’s gone, but he had a huge influence on me in my 20’s and early teens. I’d love to meet Alice Copper cause he likes snakes. hahahaha

Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic to the area?

A:  I would tell people to go see the Flatirons. Go have a beer and something to eat at Mountain Sun in Boulder, one of the oldest restaurants around.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?

A: David Attenborough, the voice of all the nature specials.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique to you about Louisville/Lafayette?

A: It has a small town feel and I think that is really appealing.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: Fund raising for our first piece of property. I think the lab needs to grow in that direction of our own outdoor space and area.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: I am an aspiring photographer/videographer.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A:  South Eastern US – where I grew up. Food.  And snakes!

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A: Harrison Ford.  From Star Wars to Indiana Jones, he’d be a lot of fun to have as a co-star!

Q: If you have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, who would you choose? Driver, Nanny, Personal Trainer, Chef, or anything you want.

A: Housekeeper. A chef would be great too.

Q: Is there something that you can add that would benefit or add value to the community, what do you think would that be?

A:  More open space.  We have a lot, but need more. It benefits everybody. I don’t think as humans we appreciate how beneficial open space is to us.

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