STAFF SPOTLIGHT
jevon richeson
HORTICULTURIST
HORTICULTURE
Jevon was born in Arvada, Colorado, and moved to Deer Park, Texas, near Houston, in 2008 at the age of 12. He graduated from Deer Park High School in 2015 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2020. During his studies, Jevon completed internships at Mercer Botanic Garden in Spring, Texas, and Hoffman Nursery in Durham, North Carolina.
After college, Jevon returned to Mercer Botanic Garden as the tropical garden horticulturist and was later promoted to assistant curator, a role he held from 2021 to 2023. In March of 2023, he joined the Ellen Trout Zoo team as the swing keeper for the Herp and Asia/Primate departments. At the end of 2024, he left ETZ to serve as the City of Nacogdoches gardener, before returning to the zoo in February of 2026 as the resident horticulturist. With a deep love of both animals and nature, Jevon brings a unique blend of horticulture experience and animal care knowledge to the Ellen Trout Zoo team.
Favorite Animals: Bats, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Color: Green
Little Known Fact: I am scuba certified.
Toughest Challenge: Losing an animal.
Favorite Memory: I have three: snorkeling in Hawaii, going on a cruise to Alaska, and hiking at night through the Costa Rican rainforest.
Best Quote: "Not all who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Best Advice for Those Wanting to Join the Zoo Field: Be prepared to get creative, whether it be for enrichment, habitat design, or more. ​
Who Inspired You?: Steve Irwin and David Attenborough