Meet Neon Rayne | Development Coordinator at RACR

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

Hi Neon, what inspires you?
There is so much that I take inspiration from in my career.

One of the core reasons I remain present in and passionate about this field is when I have opportunities to witness the transformative power of connecting people with nature and fostering an appreciation for reptiles and amphibians (also known as “herptiles”). These animals are vital components of ecosystems worldwide. Fear and misunderstanding of these animals leads to their persecution and habitat destruction, ultimately impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Being able to provide a safe space to dismantle fear responses to herptiles is so rewarding; as folks begin to tolerate, then appreciate, admire, and eventually love these animals like I do, I see them engage with conservation efforts to protect them. This ripple effect can change everything, and it reinforces the importance of education, outreach, and community engagement in conservation efforts.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a nonprofit event planner specializing in unique experiences such as the Creature Concert, I pride myself on creating unforgettable moments that blend entertainment with conservation education. What sets me apart is my passion for wildlife and my ability to harness the power of music and art to inspire appreciation and stewardship for the natural world.

The Creature Concert is a one-of-a-kind benefit event that brings together live music performances with interactive displays featuring performers, animal ambassadors, educational activities, and so much more. It’s a celebration of biodiversity where attendees not only enjoy great local music, but also have the opportunity to learn about and interact with fascinating animals in a fun and engaging setting.

What I’m most proud of is the positive impact these events have on both attendees and our local natural areas. By providing a platform for conservation messaging in a creative and entertaining way, the Creature Concerts fosters greater awareness, empathy, and support for wildlife conservation efforts. Coming from a nonprofit focused around highly misunderstood animals, I encounter challenges to engage the public with our mission in a way that will pave the way towards environmental stewardship. When the public fears the animals we are trying to protect, I need to create a setting that is as unique and inviting as we are; this is possible largely because of the power of collaboration. By partnering with musicians, artists, local businesses, and community organizations, I’ve been able to amplify the reach and impact of my events. Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of shared purpose has been key to overcoming this obstacle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a nature enthusiast, I always find myself encouraging folks to get out into the gorgeous natural landscape, and to take time to play – exploring habitats on a micro scale by returning to the earth as we did when we were kids. Flipping rocks to see who lives underneath, looking for turtles basking on logs in the rivers, rockhounding for different kinds of minerals. There’s so much the outdoors offers us if we take the time to take it in, instead of looking at our feet as we trudge along (which I know I’m guilty of!)

If we were to visit Denver, I would take my friend to Meow Wolf, Death & Co., the Botanic Gardens, The Terrorium Shop, and Little Eden Plantscaping. In Fort Collins, we would most likely end up in downtown visiting some of my favorite haunts including Elliots, Curiosities, the Lyric, and Horsetooth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely everyone at RACR (Reptile & Amphibian Center of the Rockies) deserves a huge shoutout! Every single person there demonstrates their dedication to animal welfare and coexistence with herptiles right here in Colorado. Our educators, adoption coordinators, volunteers, our partners at CSU, and board members have created an amazing nonprofit to be a part of, and I’m so grateful to have a place here at RACR.

Website: https://www.reptilecenter.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racr_co/