Meet Tim Brys | Procurer of Rare and Wonderous Objects (also known as a Teaching Collection Coordinator)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Brys and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I am the parent of two boys, one 11 and the other 4. I think that the most important thing I have done to impact their lives is to take them out in the field to experience things firsthand. Whether it’s studying nature in a hands-on setting, looking for fossils near our home, or helping with research projects, each opportunity gives them something that they can’t get from sitting at home in front of a screen. Together we have observed fascinating wildlife, helped gather important data for researchers and even found a dinosaur. Along with these experiences comes exposure to important social issues like homelessness and use of natural resources. My hope is while learning cool new things that my kids will gain a better understanding and empathy for what other human beings may be going through. I hope it makes them think and want to make a difference in their own way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I moved to Texas shortly after college and worked at the Dallas Zoo for around 14 years. While there I worked in education, then helped start a small native insect house. For ten years I helped care for 200+ invertebrate species found in Texas. We also helped build animal exhibits and educational displays, and cared for reptiles like giant Galapagos and Aldabra Tortoises. I currently work as the Teaching Collection Coordinator for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. I help care for the small live animal collection, build and repair the teaching collection specimens which are used for programs, and I’m currently helping to unpack and identify items found in the main collection’s new warehouse. Every day is different and interesting when looking through the museum collections. The Perot has some awesome collections for research and future display. On the side I help with local citizen science projects like Monarch tagging, caddisfly surveys and the Texas Lights Out project. I get asked fairly often to help do various nature walks, tabletop programs or to help with wildlife programs. I might get called one week to help with a night insect/amphibian program and asked to come help with unruly bees the following week. It all keeps me busy but is very rewarding for myself and my own kids who often get to come along.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, there are all kinds of great things to see, eat and do in DFW so that’s pretty tough. I of course have to show them the Perot Museum of Nature and Science where I work. There’s always something new and cool there. Right now they have a travelling exhibit called The Science of Guinness World Records and also the new Thursdays on Tap which are Thursday evening events for the 21+ crowd. I think most of my friends enjoy animals and doing outdoor things like hiking in the local State Parks, Trinity River and Dogwood Canyon Audubon Centers, and John Bunker Sands Wetland Center. We often visit the local zoos, drive through Fossil Rim Wildlife Center or go out to look for fossils around North Texas. I get asked a lot where to collect fossils and this is a great place to start: https://dallaspaleo.org/

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, there are so many people that I would credit with getting me to where I am today. Early on I’d have to say that my parents, grandparents and extended relatives were the first ones to take me out and get me hooked with insects, salamanders and frog eggs. A lot of fascinating natural history items and techniques were passed down from a great uncle that worked at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. In 6th grade our science teacher (Mr. Cisek) selected a group of students to participate in Eco Team and then Envirothon in High School. We learned so many things about wildlife there and each of us left with a lifelong love for nature. Boy Scouts and the leaders that took time to walk us through nature as young adults kept us interested and out of trouble. Mr. Miller who took time to teach an Entomology elective in high school, which I took at least 3 times because I enjoyed it so much. I still keep keep in touch with him. Then there were the excellent professors at Northland College like Andy Goyke and Gus Smith. I loved my small college classes and all the outdoor fieldwork we got to try out. Currently it’s my wife Sarah, my boys and all of the friends that are also interested in nature whether zoo keepers, members of Texas Master Naturalists, or just nature lovers at heart. There are so many friends that have helped me get to where I am now and I am truly thankful to them all! I have found that nature enthusiasts are a truly wonderful group of people with each one having something new to teach you.

Website: https://www.perotmuseum.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/60628948/united-states/dallas-texas/perot-museum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerotMuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerotMuseum

Image Credits
Stalin SM for the one at night, the classroom and in the grassy field. I think I took the rest so no credit needed for those.