Emma Klemmensen

Growing up on the family farm, working with the environment has always been a fundamental
part of Emma Klemmensen’s life. This connection has only deepened over time, shaping her
career and fueling her passion for conservation, science, and our shared relationship with the
Earth. As an Educational Programs Coordinator with Ocean First Institute, Emma creates
relationships with educational organizations, teaches about marine ecosystems, and shares her
love for the environment. One of Emma’s favorite aspects of marine biology is that there’s
always more to learn, which makes her passionate about making learning just as fun for others as
it is for her!

Emma’s career in Environmental Science has been characterized by diverse roles, beginning as a
student at Colorado State University. There, she earned her B.S. in Human Dimensions of
Natural Resources and her B.A. in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture. Throughout her
time in college, Emma was a part of Xi Sigma Pi, an international honor society for forestry and
related sciences, taught Spanish to elementary students, and spent a semester abroad in Ecuador.
While in Ecuador, Emma learned about Ecuador’s diverse biomes, studied the marine
ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, and conducted undergraduate research. Returning to her
agricultural roots, she investigated how monoculture and polyculture agricultural systems impact
soil health by analyzing macroinvertebrate communities in cocoa farms of the Ecuadorian
Amazon. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of her degree programs, Emma specializes in
communicating intricate information in an exciting way, understanding the interconnectedness of
ecosystems through systems thinking, and instilling collaborative conservation as a pillar of
environmentalism.

Outside of her role at Ocean First, Emma is a Bilingual Environmental Educator at the Butterfly
Pavilion and enjoys hiking, snorkeling, snowboarding, and spending time with friends. Now with
Ocean First Institute, Emma is excited to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards through
exciting lessons and her passion for community based conservation!

Learn more about Emma here