This field season, we’re excited to welcome our first very own team of Conservation Department ZooTeens!
Since 1999, the ZooTeen program has connected Boston youth with meaningful work experiences that help them develop professional skills, build confidence, and prepare for future educational and career opportunities. ZooTeens gain hands-on experience across a variety of zoo departments, including Animal Care, Horticulture, Marketing, Education, and now, Conservation!
Like their peers in other departments, Conservation ZooTeens spend two days each week immersed in departmental activities. For our team, that means gearing up and heading into the field. Throughout the season, they’ll participate in a wide range of conservation projects, gaining firsthand experience in field research and developing practical conservation skills while working alongside our staff.
Meet the Teens:
Atticus
I’m a second year ZooTeen at FPZ. As a lifelong Bostonian and an incoming biology student at Tufts, I have a deep passion for the flora and fauna of Massachusetts. My biological interests center largely around evolutionary and developmental biology, microbiology, and, of course, zoology. Additionally, I’m planning a double minor in physics and philosophy and hope to pursue a potential career in veterinary medicine. I’m thrilled by the opportunity to get my hands dirty learning about and helping the beautiful turtles, lizards, fish, and amphibians that call our neighborhoods home. Stay up-to-date on the wildlife I observe at inaturalist.org/people/radicus.
Giovanni
I am a second year Zoo Teen returner working for FPZ, I am an up in coming sophomore at the John D. O’Bryant school of Mathematics and Science. I’m a lifelong resident of Boston, Massachusetts. I’m excited to work on conservation this year because I want to expand my knowledge and horizons on the field! In addition, working with the turtles, fishes,and amphibians has been a fantastic opportunity for me and my peers. Ultimately I look forward to being out on the field collecting data for conservation like the Arnold’s Arboretum and other conservation areas like the Stony Brook!
Isaac
I am a rising senior in highschool and a Zooteen in the Conservation-Education team. I got into conservation in my first year of Zooteens when I went on a field trip to the Arnold Arboretum with the conservation team to check turtle populations in the arboretum ponds. It bridged my fascination and love for wildlife with my want to have a positive impact on the world, inspiring me to pursue field conservation as a future career. What I am most excited for this summer is the opportunity to build my skills in this field since I’m very future oriented and anticipate these skills I’m building will help me get opportunities and jobs in conservation when I’m older. An amazing experience I have had so far working in conservation was when we found a snapping turtle at the arboretum in a trap to small for it, and it took us 20ish minutes of hands-on teamwork to get the lil guy out of the trap. It was one of the first time I have worked with Snappers and it was such a rewarding and educational experience. Working in the conservation department so far has been an amazing time already and I’m excited for the experiences to come.
Ren
I’m a rising sophomore in high school living in Boston, and am adoring field conservation thus far! I’ve always loved exploring nature around me wherever I am, and being able to learn a ton (hands-on!) about all kinds of life in my city is super cool. I’ve gotten to know a ton of cool people and discovered how much I’m enchanted by the science of wildlife, and being able to teach about it to others on days where I interact with guests at the zoo is just the cherry on top. I found it particularly awesome when we found our first snapping turtle a few days ago (even if I got scratched a bit), and am excited to see much, much more wildlife this summer!
When they’re not in the field, Conservation ZooTeens will serve as ambassadors for Zoo New England’s conservation work on zoo grounds. They’ll share their experiences and knowledge with fellow ZooTeens, ZooCampers, and zoo guests through presentations, interpretive programs, and hands-on educational activities.
By connecting people to the local conservation projects they’re actively involved in, these teens will help inspire curiosity, foster stewardship of wildlife and natural spaces, and strengthen their community’s connection to conservation action. Their unique perspective as both learners and conservation practitioners makes them powerful advocates for protecting the species and habitats found right here in New England.
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