Emily Louina Cook

Connect What national park do you dream of visiting?

All the ones I haven’t seen yet! This is a shockingly high number, especially since I volunteered in the NPS system. The Everglades and Congaree come to mind first…I’ve been so close, yet so far away from them. Every park in Alaska is also high on my dream/bucket list. Parks that are connected to underrepresented communities are also a special interest of mine.

What has been your favorite adventure experience?

Working as a seasonal/traveling biologist and educator for over one decade. It’s hard to choose a favorite from all those experiences. Overall, my time on Pacific Islands (including Haleakala National Park on Maui) is probably my favorite, as it shaped my academics, research, and writing significantly. Waking up with the sea turtles on the Cumberland Island National Seashore is also a cherished, core memory.

What would you do with $10,000?

I would use it to continue my research & education initiatives. In grad school, I developed & implemented an environmental education curriculum with elementary school students. The curriculum taught students how to identify a critically endangered bird on their island. I am in the process of publishing the first picture book that was inspired from that experience. Continuing this work is essential for conservation and empowering the under-represented communities of Pacific Islanders