Former Lincoln Park Zoo keeper leads environmental education program in Rolling Meadows

Dominic Calderisi’s zoology career spanned nearly 30 years, starting with volunteer work and an internship before eventually becoming a lead zookeeper at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

Today, the Rolling Meadows resident and father of five continues sharing his love of nature and animals as Rolling Meadows Park District’s natural resources and trades specialist. Recently, Calderisi spearheaded an environmental education series designed to encourage local youth to take pride in their community through recycling, gardening, composting and other stewardship practices.

As part of the program, funded by a grant from Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense technology company based in Rolling Meadows, Calderisi visits schools to talk to students directly about ways to care for the environment. By planting native plants, recycling, composting, and repairing and reusing items, less waste ends up in landfills and incinerators, he said.

“This program helps students learn to coexist with nature,” Calderisi said. “We are stewards of the Earth. It’s an amazing gift and we need to take care of it and cherish it. It’s our responsibility.”

During his presentations, students often ask Calderisi about his zoo background, including his favorite animals, their personalities and whether he was ever afraid. His expertise working with large mammals, from big cats, including tigers, to primates such as gorillas provides a unique perspective on wildlife care and safety.

Calderisi, who also teaches Merit Badge classes for the park district, educates students about interacting responsibly with wildlife. He warns against hand-feeding animals such as squirrels and touching fledgling birds, while also offering tips for creating healthy backyard habitats that allow people to enjoy wildlife from a distance. Native plants including prairie blazing star, bee balm and cardinal flower help attract hummingbirds — something Calderisi said he finds especially rewarding to see in his own garden.

“I’m a huge proponent of park districts working with schools,” said Erin Mackey, a fourth grade teacher at Willow Bend Elementary School, where Calderisi presented to students in May. “With Dominic having that (zoology) background, he really entices the students. This is a great program and I hope it continues, because the Park District is such a great place for school-age children. I think it’s awesome.”

Calderisi hopes to expand the community outreach program to include adults and families — organizing volunteers to help remove invasive species at park district properties, including the Icenogle property, a 3-acre parcel acquired by the park district in 2022. The late Joann and Paul Icenogle meticulously tended the property for years, creating a welcoming haven for a variety of bird species and other wildlife. As part of the program’s expansion, the district also plans to partner with Rolling Meadows Library to host environmental lectures and educational programs, including bird identification and discussions about Salt Creek’s ecological importance to the community.

“Rolling Meadows, with the areas along Salt Creek is an ecological hub rich in native plants and wildlife,” Calderisi said. “This offers a unique opportunity to not only educate others on the importance of connecting with nature, but to teach about preservation and caring for these resources, which ultimately benefits the community and planet.”