who we are

Kayleigh Bucur, Executive Director

Originally from Massachusetts, Kayleigh brings a lifelong passion for connecting people with nature. She has more than a decade of experience in environmental education and nonprofit leadership.

As executive director, a role she began in October 2025, Kayleigh looks forward to establishing the Center as a premier destination for environmental education, birding in Northeast Texas and conservation experiences that help visitors connect with nature. She is eager to deepen partnerships, expand educational opportunities, create new and exciting public programming, and build relationships with local communities.

Throughout her career, Kayleigh has dedicated herself to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. She has worked with organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Narragansett Bay National Estuary Research Reserve, Trinity River Audubon Center, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas’ STEM Center of Excellence and, most recently, the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center.

A graduate of UMASS Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation, Kayleigh is also a certified Wilderness First Responder, Texas Master Naturalist and Northeast Texas Master Birder.

When she’s not at work, you’ll find her reading, camping, hiking with her husband and two dogs, gardening, baking or working on stained glass projects.

Karina Cocks, Education Supervisor

Meet Karina, our new education supervisor, as of March 2026!

In this role, Karina leads our education, outreach, and public programming efforts and serves as the primary liaison between the Wetland Center and the schools, educators, and community partners we serve. She also manages 1st-Saturday Bird Tours and 3rd-Saturday Boardwalk Tours.

She holds a Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Northern Arizona University, where she conducted research on Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes at Tuzigoot National Monument.

She spent most of her college years working hands-on with a variety of native wildlife species through the university as well as the state wildlife department.

Most recently, Karina spent several years with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas designing and leading STEM and nature-based programs.

Prior to that, she inspired a love of conservation as a Senior Interpreter at the Dallas Zoo.

Meredith Brashear, Environmental Educator

Meredith joined our team in August 2026! She went to school at Trinity University in San Antonio and graduated in 2025 with a degree in Environmental Geosciences.

Before starting at the JBS Wetland Center, she worked at a water engineering firm.

During that time, she worked on water planning and natural systems approaches to water issues in Texas.

As an artist, she primarily works in watercolor and loves painting nature, especially native plants and wildlife from Texas.

She is originally from Dallas and is grateful to be able to contribute to the nature education of the DFW metroplex.  

Gracie Darlington, Environmental Educator

Gracie joined our team in August 2026! Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Gracie’s passion is inspiring nature appreciation and conservation action in her local North Texas community. 

She attended Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Learning and Organizational Change and Environmental Policy. Gracie discovered her love for environmental education in Illinois, where she worked with middle and high school students in the Chicagoland area to unpack issues related to environmental justice and animal advocacy.

She also strengthened her connection to wildlife through her work in animal care at a local wildlife center and on a farm.

Since moving back to Texas, Gracie has worked in educational programming at the Dallas Arboretum and most recently at the Dallas Zoo.

When she’s not at work, Gracie likes to spend her time birding, fishing, and exploring DFW’s green spaces. She is a proud bird mom to her pet pigeon, Kimchi. Her all-time favorite species to see at the Wetland Center are white ibises, but she’s a big fan of any bird that passes through. Gracie is thrilled to join the flock at JBSWC and is excited to grow in her role as an Environmental Educator. 

Samantha Knight, Operations & Volunteer Coordinator

Samantha joined our team in July 2026 as the new Operations and Volunteer Coordinator!

In her position, she coordinates volunteers, rentals, and general operations of the facility.

She has worked in marketing for 15 years. Prior positions include operations manager for The Social Robin, a marketing firm based in North Texas, operations manager at Real News PR, and web developer at Fource Communications.

She is passionate about spreading knowledge about nature. She has taught Rosemont Elementary students about local ecology through the Nature Leaders program, serves on the program committee for North Texas Master Naturalists, and manages social media for THNC.

Her hobbies include beekeeping, birding, cataloging species through iNaturalist, sketching, playing the guitar and banjo, and replacing the St. Augustine grass in her yard with native plants.

She has even completed the Master Entomology program and brings a wealth of knowledge when it comes to both insects and plants, as well as so much more.

Jade Reynolds, Operations Associate

A JBSWC volunteer turned part-time employee as of July 2024, Jade brings a background as a private preschool/public K-12 educator. Her duties include supporting visitors at the front desk and hands-on maintenance of the buildings, trails, and gardens. She also supports the website as a hobby, as well as oversees the Eagle Tower Cam Projects and YouTube compilations.

An inveterate learner, Jade has taken many conservation and environmental education programs. She’s certified with Texas Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society of Texas’ Native Landscape Program, Birding for Fun, and many Cornell Lab of Ornithology courses. She is also a Texas State Facilitator for TPWD’s Project WILD Suite & SFI’s Project Learning Tree.

She has completed both of the acclaimed and world-renowned Southeastern Master Herpetologist and Master Herpetologist Programs with an aspiration of completing the Master Birder Program in 2027 to support tours and eBird at Purtis Creek State Park as a hobby! She is also a certified TPWD Angler Educator with a goal of bringing back Family Fishing Day to JBSWC!

She holds a Bachelor of Science in music education with a minor in child psychology from the Honors College at Texas A&M University – Commerce (now East Texas A&M University).

A citizen of the US, UK, and Ireland, Jade enjoys riding her Harley-Davidson LRS and has many Anatolian-Pyrenees rescue dogs. One of her favorite plants is our endemic Yucca pallida (pictured left).