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Tell us how you got involved with this
organization?
I had been to a few lectures given by Dr.
E.O.Wilson during graduate school and was
impressed with the Center’s mission and
dedication to science education. I reached out
to them after graduation and five years later
have been working here ever since.
What is the biggest moment that has
stood out in the last year?
This past year we have collaborated with
some other local and national organizations
including Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation with
our summer camp programs and Community
Collaborations Initiative organizing college
student volunteers for their alternative
spring break. We’ve also worked with
Okaloosa Science Initiative giving
even more students from our area the
opportunity for exciting hands-on field
experiences and providing opportunities
for students to apply their knowledge by
participating in service learning activities
supporting their local community and
environment.
What are some ways that
community members can
contribute, help and get involved?
There are a number of different
ways to help support the E. O.
Wilson Biophilia Center. Each year
the Center serves more than 6,000
students, in addition to caring for over
50 permanent animals. To provide the
best possible service, we are asking for
your help. As an independent nonprofit
organization, we rely on the generosity
of the communities we serve. All
donations, both monetary and goods,
are not only appreciated but crucial
to our success. Check out our website
for ways to contribute your time,
materials, or monetary support at www.
eowilsoncenter.org.
What is the most rewarding part of
your job?
Every day I hear people say, “I love this
place, I just saw an eagle,” or, “I just got to
hold a turtle!” Without prompting, they tell me
how great it is to have one-on-one experiences
with our local wildlife. I love to share my
knowledge with curious and wide-eyed
students. As an educator, I feel rewarded in
knowing people leave the Biophilia Center with
a greater appreciation for wildlife and a better
understanding of the importance of conserving
the habitats they live in.
Does E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center have
any upcoming events?
The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center is excited
about our upcoming Where the Wild Things
5K Trail Run on Saturday, October 14, 2017.
Runners will race through the woods for a wild
off-terrain adventure. For registration check
Active.com.
We are also working with a local signature
chef, Roux 30A, for a fundraiser benefiting the
Center. The Birds of Prey Wine Dinner hosted
by Roux 30A, Benefiting the E.O.Wilson
Biophilia Center will be held on Saturday,
May 6, 2017, at 6pm. Seating is limited and
with tickets for $200 per person, you can enjoy
an intimate dining experience with proceeds
going to the Biophilia Center. The evening
will feature a delicious five-course dinner with
wine pairings, a silent auction and an exciting
live birds of prey show.
Describe a situation working with
the center that really stood out and
touched you.
There is a growing disparity between the
time kids spend indoors wired to technology
and the time they spend outside enjoying
nature. I feel privileged to be the one to
introduce students, some their very first time
in the forest, to the complexity and beauty
of our environment. Watching children get
excited about learning and encouraging their
sense of exploration and imagination just by
going on a hike through the woods is
what its all about for me.
What plans does the E.O. Wilson
Biophilia Center have for the
future?
We are excited to start our new
Naturalist Outdoors Program, focusing
on local as well as out of state high school
students. This new educational program
will incorporate field research experience
and expose teenagers to different
occupations, studies, and opportunities
for making positive impacts on our
environment.
Interview with Lauren Bray
Development and Events Coordinator/ Environmental Educator
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4/24/17 11:32 AM