After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Conservation, Ryan Pennesi is excited to be an environmental educator and crew leader with the SCA Massachusetts Forests and Parks Americorps program this year. Ryan grew up in Central Massachusetts, where he discovered his passion for nature and all wild things. During the past summer he worked as a residential crew leader for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and lived in the Green Mountains of Vermont for 7 weeks! In addition to trail work, Ryan has worked as a Tour Guide, Animal Handler, and Presenter for Animal Adventures Exotic Zoo and Rescue Center. He has had the opportunity to wrestle American Alligators, feed baby Coatis, scratch behind the ears of a Canadian Lynx, and play with Ring-tail Lemurs! Ryan is passionate about animals and would love to share stories about his experience as a zoo employee. On a typical day you may find Ryan exploring the forest, playing soccer, throwing the disk with friends, or playing some jazz on his trumpet.
