Mike Blakely grew up in love with zoos. He enjoyed family trips to the zoo throughout his childhood, but he couldn't get enough.

While in high school, Blakely volunteered at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, which was located across the street from Portland Zoo. Soon, Blakely started working summers and part time at the children's zoo area of the Portland Zoo. He also worked in zoo outreach programs.

Blakely enjoyed caring for the animals as well as interacting with visitors at the zoo. He realized how zoos could be used as a conservation tool.

Blakely feels the goal of the zoo is education. "The zoo must get people young and old to participate in conservation, whether it be by recycling, writing to a congressman about a conservation issue, or by joining the zoo."

Blakely is excited about the future of the Little Rock Zoo. He says organizing the zoo into zoogeographic areas is a priority. Also important, Mike says, is making the zoo an entertaining place to visit because the zoo can be a key player in Arkansas tourism.