John DeFillipo, Director of the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, is an engaging naturalist with over 20 years of experience blending ecological concepts with business insights. After receiving his BS degree in Business Administration in 1992 from the Mississippi University for Women, he pursued a naturalist career with two nature centers in the southeastern United States; Camp McDowell Environmental Education Center in Alabama and Crow’s Neck Environmental Education Center in Mississippi. In 2002, John refined his focus as an Outreach Educator with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science where he presented endangered species programs, including live Alligators. While living in Mississippi, John served as the president of the Mississippi Environmental Education Alliance and was the recipient of the 2008 Environmental Educator of the Year Award. John moved to Dallas in late 2008 to accept the Lead Natural Science Educator position with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science before becoming the Director of the Wetland Center in March 2010. In August 2015, John received the New Outstanding Leader Award from the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) where he currently serves as VP of Development. Through his leadership skills and enduring passion of man’s stewardship of the Earth, he has guided the Wetland Center to become a premier example of environmental education with a strong focus on habitat and water conservation, public education, partnerships, and wetland research.

Partnership for Conservation Water, Wetlands, and Wildlife at the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center: What does a manmade wetland, American Bald Eagles and Alligators have in common? Water Conservation! The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center provides education and research opportunities related to water conservation and wetlands in the middle of the 2000 acre East Fork Water Reuse Project. The Wetland Center is the focal point of a one of a kind manmade wetland that recycles millions of gallons of water each day to supplement the municipal water supply for 1.7 million people living in the North Texas corridor. This project was formed by a unique public/private partnership between the North Texas Municipal Water District and The Rosewood Corporation to provide a long term sustainable solution for water supply while providing diverse wetland habitat for over 257 species of birds, dozens of mammals, reptiles and other wildlife. Protection and conservation in the headwaters of the upper Trinity River have a lasting effect downstream. Come and experience the realities of our most precious resource WATER and discover how stewardship can be integrated into our everyday lives.