CES Feature of the Week: Emily Brown, Naturalist, Wehr Nature Center
CES Alumni 2006
Emily’s interest in the environment and nature developed early. As a native of West Allis she grew within the Milwaukee County Parks System. In fact, Wehr Nature Center was where she first experienced a nature program as a child. Emily’s educational path began at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM),where she pursued a degree in Conservation and Environmental Science (CES). She participated in a CES UWM program that involved studying the ecology of tropical streams at the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve in Costa Rica. This was a childhood dream come true, where she engaged in hands-on environmental activities while interacting with local students.
A universal challenge exists; individuals can reside near natural wonders yet remain disconnected from them, regardless of their location in the world. Just as some people in the Milwaukee area may live close to Lake Michigan but have never been to the beachfront, the same was true for some Costa Rican locals regarding their rainforest. Emily recognized this lack of immersive experiences in nature and aimed to address it when she returned for an internship at Tirimbina. Emily’s bilingual skills—her double-degree included a major in Spanish—helped her communicate and educate local families about the unique natural features they had right in their backyard and the importance of caring for it. Emily’s internship in Tirimbina led to another internship at the Milwaukee Public Museum, where she created distance learning programs that connected people with the wonders of the rainforest, allowing them to experience nature even if they could not visit in person. “I was able to bring the rainforest experience to students who might never see one,” she reflects. Emily’s experiences instilled her passion for environmental education and commitment to making nature accessible to everyone, a theme that would continue to resonate throughout her career.
The UWM CES program set Emily up with a multidisciplinary approach to environmental topics and issues, which was a critical asset to her career path beyond the university. Upon graduation, Emily became the Education Director for Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful (KGMB), a nonprofit organization focused on environmental education and community engagement. Her time at KGMB was instrumental in shaping her understanding of community dynamics and the importance of partnerships. Emily focused on recycling education in Milwaukee, conducting tours of the materials recovery facility and teaching about waste reduction and conservation efforts related to water and energy. This work included developing an environmental engineering program for middle school students and tours of local sites like Jones Island and landfills. She saw the vital link between community outreach about environmental conservation. “It was very much human behavior focused… getting people engaged and exploring where things come from and where they go when we’re done with them,” she notes, demonstrating the importance of sustainability pillars.
Emily’s approach to environmental education is rooted in the principles of equity and inclusion, which she brings with her throughout her professional life journey. For the past 12 years, Emily has worked for Milwaukee County Parks as a Naturalist at Wehr Nature Center. Located within a 220-acre nature preserve in Whitnall Park, the Center is committed to “making nature accessible to every person, year-round,” according to their Mission Statement. This resonates with Emily, evident in her work at Wehr, as she actively seeks to break down barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from engaging in nature. With the support of local organizations, Wehr Nature Center has enhanced physical accessibility by developing an accessible boardwalk, adding an all-terrain wheelchair and implementing other features to improve access for all visitors. Emily has been directly involved in the growth of these improvements over the years, although the boardwalk has served the community even longer. Emily has also implemented programs such as the SPARK program for creative engagement, a dementia-focused program, as well as nature programs and volunteer opportunities for groups with disabilities. “It’s the accessibility pieces that really become my proudest achievements,” she notes, adding that her graduate research included conducting focus groups for individuals with disabilities, identifying and addressing barriers to accessing nature. This work became the foundation for ongoing efforts at Wehr. Fostering a connection with nature is essential for everyone, regardless of their background. “People don’t exist in little vacuums… inclusion has to involve embracing the whole person as they are. We are here to ensure they feel welcome and comfortable,” Emily asserts.
Wehr Nature Center is proving to be a hub for nature education and accessibility with Emily’s holistic perspectives and developments. Wehr Nature Center hosts UWM service-learning students, allowing Emily and other employees to help students understand the connection of nature, sustainability, and people. Emily advises students to meet people where they are in their “nature journey,” approach without judgment, and accompany them along the way. She emphasizes the importance of being authentic and present, rather than just delivering facts. “Once you have that… authenticity and that kindness, you can more easily relate to people and make the topic or issue relevant to their lives. This is what I believe impacts people more greatly,” she explains about connecting the public to nature.
Life balance is important to Emily, as she effectively manages her professional responsibilities alongside her personal life, including raising twin boys. Even with the demands of motherhood and her career, Emily finds time for outlets of activities. She had a hobby farm, including chickens, bees, goats, and growing her own food and products. Emily also has a unique engaging personality, which she has recently been putting to the test in improv classes!
Emily’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility at Wehr Nature Center serves as a model for others in the field, demonstrating that with creativity and commitment, it is possible to break down barriers and foster a love for the natural world in everyone.
Intrigued? For more information or contact information, check out UWM’s CES Program: uwm.edu/ces
Wehr Nature Center: https://www.wehrnaturecenter.com/
Written by Zelenda Koch