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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