RETIRED MEN'S ASSOCIATION OF GREENWICH, Inc. (RMA)
Invites you to its meeting, August 26, 2026, at 11 am at Christ Church, Parish Hall, 254 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich. The program will also be shown on Zoom (click here for live feed), and on local cable channels 24 (Verizon) and 79 (Optimum)
Jim Wharton
“Go Wild at the Beardsley Zoo!”
Over time, zoos and aquariums in the United States have evolved from animal menageries to conservation organizations. Founded in 1922, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a Bridgeport and Connecticut institution, home to more than 300 animals from 100 species, including some of the most endangered on the planet. Hear its relatively new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jim Wharton, discuss where the Zoo has been and where it is going as a community asset and conservation actor. Learn about future plans for exhibit and program growth including the Zoo’s new red panda playground and the return of Beardsley’s beloved tigers.
Dr. Jim Wharton has nearly 30 years of experience in conservation, education, and public engagement. Before joining Beardsley in 2024, he spent 12 years at the Seattle Aquarium, where he led conservation initiatives, educational programs, and community partnerships. He also helped spearhead the design and fundraising for the $180 million Ocean Pavilion, a landmark exhibit showcasing the Coral Triangle. Under his leadership, the Seattle Aquarium pioneered innovative strategies to build audience empathy and inspire conservation action. The award-winning initiative reshaped public engagement practices in zoos and aquariums and influenced both educational programming and professional development across the field. Jim is an active leader in the zoo and aquarium community, serving as an instructor for the professional development programs of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and as an AZA accreditation inspector.
Our next presentation, on September 3, is by Lear Beyer, “Prelude to a Revolution in a New York Border Town.” Note: This Meeting is on a Thursday.
The Greenwich Retired Men’s Association offers a free program every Wednesday that is open to the public, both men and women; no reservations are required. Our social break starts at 10:40 am followed promptly by our presentation at 11:00. For additional information, including parking, see
www.greenwichrma.org/upcoming-speakers.
