MEET OUR STAFF

Samuel Ansaldi, Program Manager

Email: programs@mynaturecenter.org

Phone: 517-483-4041

Sam is an avid outdoorsman with a love of nature and a fascination for all organisms within it. Growing up in North-Eastern Vermont, his inquisitive love of the natural world turned into a professional career in conservation and environmental education. Sam has a masters degree in Education from Michigan State University and a bachelors degree in Biology from Olivet College. Prior to his position as Program Manager at Fenner Nature Center, Sam has worked at numerous zoological associations, conservation areas, and nature centers throughout the US and Canada, and was the Education Specialist for the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. When Sam is not at Fenner, he and his wife are introducing their young daughter to all of the exciting wonders the natural environment has to offer. 


Dylan Lallemand, Volunteer & Stewardship Coordinator

Phone: 517-483-4224

Email: Volunteer@mynaturecenter.org

Dylan has a passion for wildlife and the Lansing community. These
passions have made him a natural fit at Fenner Nature Center. Dylan
started his Fenner career as a summer camp counselor in 2021, this role
helped ignite a love for environmental programming, at the conclusion of
the camp season stepping into the role of naturalist was a perfect fit. Now
as Volunteer and Stewardship Coordinator Dylan is able to share his love
for the natural world with the public. He moved to Lansing in 2009 to
attend MSU for Zoology and has called this city home ever since. Dylan
spends his free time hiking around Michigan, observing as much wildlife as
he can and is a member of Lansing Common FC, a nonprofit grassroots
community run soccer club that strives to enhance the Lansing area.


Rebecca Smith, Events & Rentals Coordinator

Email: events@mynaturecenter.org

Phone: 517-483-4224

Rebecca is a wildlife biologist by training and loves all things in nature. She has a wide variety of experiences working as an environmental educator; on restoration projects for deer, peregrine falcons and Indiana bats; surveying birds and bugs; and working on stream and wetland mitigation projects.  Rebecca has a master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation (Agriculture) from the University of Kentucky. For the past few years, Rebecca has worked planning and running events in Colorado.  She has also enjoyed working with the athletes on USL2 and WPSL teams. Rebecca grew up in Kentucky and is the proud mom of two wonderful kids. Her passion and joy is in serving others.