Terry Dougherty

tdoughertybnc@gmail.com

Therese (Terry) Dougherty has over 30 years of experience in leadership and event planning, with her overall career dedicated to supporting youth, education, camps and wellness. Terry previously served as the Executive Director of College Settlement Outdoor School and Summer Camp. She recently led the organization through its 100 Anniversary of Summer Camp and solidified an Agricultural Farm Easement with Montgomery County and Pennsylvania. She was previously the Executive Director of Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR). In her seven years there, Terry grew the PCR program increasing capacity by 60%, formed relationships with a range of schools in Philadelphia, and expanded beyond high school students to a middle school program. She successfully implemented an environmental education program incorporating the watershed area on the Schuylkill River. Additionally, she has an extensive background in fundraising, special events, and programming. She is known for her numerous collaborations and ability to multi-task. Terry has worked at University of the Sciences, Temple University, Valley Forge Military Academy and College, University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.

Jessica Philp

bncanimalcare@gmail.com

Jessica has spent her career in animal husbandry. While attending Boston University and earning a B.A. in Psychology, she also worked as an Assistant Marine Mammal Trainer at New England Aquarium. As a zookeeper at Brandywine Zoo and later Philadelphia Zoo, she has worked with a wide variety of animals including Pymgy Marmosets, Vampire bats, Aardvarks, Meerkats, Bearded Pigs, Giant Anteaters, Mhorrs Gazelles, Addax, and even Philadelphia Zoo's beloved White Rhinoceros, Tony. After several years at home with her two sons when they were young, she branched out into the field of dog training. She has earned her CPDT-KA certification as well as become a CGC evaluator. At home she has a Chinchilla (Nimbus Yeti), a bearded dragon (Loch Ness) and a dog named Bell Bee.

Favorite animal: every animal I have ever had the luck to work with!

Alyssa Ewald 
 

bnceducationprogram@bncfoundation.org

Alyssa is passionate in her love for the outdoors and all that comes with it.  She believes the most rewarding part of her life comes from sharing everything she has learned about nature with her family, friends and of course, the public! She has been a proud staff member of the BNC since she was a freshman at Delaware Valley University where she has since graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management.  She has one pet at home, a crested gecko, Geck, however, she considers all of the residents at the BNC as her pets since she loves taking care of them!

Favorite Animal: Snakes, Ducks and Prairie Dogs

Jackie Nachimas

Jackie is passionate in her enamor for wildlife and conservation. She is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management at Delaware Valley University, and plans to go to graduate school to study conservation ecology and work in herpetology conservation. She has four pets at home: a leopard gecko (Venus), gargoyle gecko (Pluto), a dog (Pulse), and a horse (Lana). She loves working at the nature center to spread knowledge and foster love and care for animals and the environment to people of all ages and backgrounds. 

“If children don't grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don't understand it, they won't protect it, and if they don't protect it, who will?” ~ David Attenborough 

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Shannon Davis

Shannon is from Bucks County and enjoys spending time outdoors with or without company. She loves to crochet, ride horses, play the cello and the piano. She is currently getting her bachelor's degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management at Delaware Valley University, and plans on using her degree to work in field ecology to protect our environment from climate change. She loves to teach children about the future of our environment and how they can make a change for the better of humans and all wildlife. She has a longhaired dachshund at home named Rocco. Her favorite animal is Lizzy pictured right here!

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Brenna Lee

Brenna is a recent graduate from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. Her interest in the field of animal behavior is what brought her to the Barn Nature Center team. She loves taking care of and spending time with the animals, as well as educating others about them. In her free time, Brenna loves to read, spend time with friends and family, and spend time outside. At home she has three cats, Calvin, Clooney, and Charlie, as well as a crested gecko, Penny. Her favorite animals are cats, cockatiels, and gibbons. 

Rebecca Pita

Rebecca is a Senior at Delaware Valley University working on her bachelors degree in Wildlife Conservation. She has worked as a Veterinary technician for over 5 years. In 2024 she ventured to South Africa working with large wildlife including Nile Monitors and Boomslangs. She joined Barn Nature Center to learn about animal education and her favorite animal here is Dino. 

Jaiden Newman

Jaiden is currently attending Delaware Valley University to receive her bachelors degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management. She plans on using her degree to become apart of a rehabilitation program for exotic animals.  Her main goal is to work with lions or tigers! Jaiden’s  favorite animal at the center is our gecko, Oscar.

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