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Victoria Garufi, a native of Yonkers, joined Beczak in 2005 as an educator responsible for designing and delivering interactive educational programs as well as assisting with exhibit design and creation. Currently, as Education Program Manager, she is responsible for scheduling and coordinating all education programs as well as training and supervising the education staff. She still manages to teach programs and maintain the aquaria, including cradling hogchokers (as seen in picture). She has a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from Long Island University’s Southampton College.
During her studies, Garufi worked as an educator at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, teaching classes about local flora and fauna and working on the Marine Life Study Cruises aboard the Research Vessel Oceanic. She also worked in the Interactive Salt Marsh at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, NY, as well as at The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation , where she a ssisted with all aspects of husbandry, rescue, release and rehabilitation of seals and sea turtles . And she served as a plover steward for the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, helping protect the endangered piping plovers of the local beaches from the threat of extinction.
Garufi has long had an active interest in fresh and saltwater ecology. She spent a semester-at-sea aboard The Californian, a 145-foot schooner, sailing down the Baja peninsula from Long Beach, CA. She also is a certified water safety instructor and waterfront lifeguard. She also holds certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Connecticut Safe Boating.
Vicky enjoys working at Beczak, and is happy to have found her niche along the Hudson River. She has helped create new programs and exhibits designed to educate both children and adults about the wonders and importance of Hudson River ecology. She looks forward to the new and exciting opportunities to come her way.
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