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Ric Kotarsky

Curator of Wildlife Conservation and Scientific Advancement, Tulsa Zoo

Richard (Ric) Kotarsky is currently the Curator of Wildlife Conservation and Scientific Advancement at the Tulsa Zoo and has worked there since 1989. He currently chairs the Monarch Initiative of Tulsa, serves on the Board of Director’s for Oxley Nature Center and is a steering committee member of the Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative and co-chairs the Urban Education Outreach Committee for the OMPC. He holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Biology and Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology Management from Oklahoma State University and earned his Master’s Degree in Museum Studies and Leadership from University of Oklahoma. After finishing his undergraduate work he began working at the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in Okmulgee, Oklahoma as a biologist tech through AmeriCorps and the Student Conservation Association. Ric also serves on Sustainable Tulsa’s Programs Committee and the National Professional Development Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In his spare time he has been an avid home brewer for 30 years and is a member of the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers. Ric also volunteers as a member of Tulsa’s Linde Oktoberfest Event Management Team for the Tulsa River Parks Authority and is the current chair of the Oktoberfest Beverage “AKA Beer’’ Committee and has been volunteering for the festival for over 20 years.