Alyssa Johnson

A native of the Finger Lakes, Alyssa Johnson has lived throughout the region, fostering a strong connection to its landscapes. She studied natural resource conservation and wildlife management at Finger Lakes Community College and SUNY Cobleskill, launching a career that has taken her across the country. Before coming to CSI, Alyssa worked with a range of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the National Audubon Society.

Alyssa is passionate about connecting people to nature and the environments around them, through science education and engaging outreach. She is especially committed to fostering inclusion and accessibility in outdoor spaces and strives to make these principles a foundation of her work.

In her free time, Alyssa runs nature-based experiences through Airbnb under the name The Bare Handed Naturalist, offering private birding tours, guided hikes, and waterfall excursions in the Finger Lakes. She also enjoys birding, kayaking, camping, hiking with her dogs and fiancé, or simply relaxing in a hammock in the back yard!