A CONVERSATION WITH EMMA BROWN

A CONVERSATION WITH EMMA BROWN LEADER OF THE GREENBACKS

Emma Brown recently stepped up as the leader of Colorado TU’s affinity group for younger adults, The Greenbacks. High Country Angler had the chance to sit down and visit with her about her past involvement and future plans with The Greenbacks. HCA: Emma, you are stepping into a leadership role for The Greenbacks, but how did your involvement with The Greenbacks start?

When I was 15, I was starting to plan my senior project in high school. The project required something like 120 hours of volunteer work, so I knew I needed to do something that was engaging, fun and meaningful. I decided that fly fishing was the perfect subject to pursue and create a project out of, so I responded to an ad in a fishing magazine for “The Greenbacks”. The ad said that they were looking for volunteers to join, and it offered a fun and engaging environment. The next day I received an email from the president at the time, Heather Sees.

When I finished my junior year of high school, I got my driver’s license and signed up for my first volunteer project. Heather Sees was my primary mentor, who really took me under her wing. She taught me the foundation of everything I know about running events, marketing, being a female leader in the outdoor industry, and just having FUN. The Greenbacks continued to be a place where I had community, friendship, and a sense of belonging all throughout my college years and to the present.

HCA: The Greenbacks’ mission has been focused on creating community around conservation. What does that ‘community’ mean to you?

For me, ‘community’ is a group that provides a sense of belonging for people. I believe that a true community offers an environment for people to be genuine, authentic, and happy. For the world of fly fishing and conservation, The Greenbacks have been just that.

HCA: What has been your favorite volunteer project or activity from your involvement with Trout Unlimited?

I have loved every single volunteer project, activity and opportunity that The Greenbacks has been able to participate in with Trout Unlimited. My favorite to date that is very memorable, was the opportunity to join Colorado Parks & Wildlife with a native greenback cutthroat trout restoration project. We were able to hike up to Zimmerman Lake in Cache La Poudre Canyon and work with biologists and native trout. There is something very special about having that opportunity to make an impact!

HCA: You also played an important role in commemorating Colorado TU’s 50th anniversary a couple of years back. Tell us a little about that experience.

I had the opportunity to work on Colorado Trout Unlimited’s 50th anniversary film, Decades. George Bryant and I traveled to different locations around Colorado to meet the trailblazers of native trout and trout habitat restoration and conservation. To be able to meet those who have spent their life and careers dedicated to making a lasting impact in our local watersheds and beloved public lands….it was an incredible experience that I will never forget. It goes to show how important every single person in the world of conservation is.

HCA: Looking to the future, what is your vision for The Greenbacks over the next couple of years?

First and foremost, The Greenbacks will continue to further preservation, restoration and conservation in local watersheds and with native trout. In terms of the people who make the group, I want the Greenbacks to continue to provide community and opportunity for those interested in our mission, as well as seeking diversity in our own group, our audience, and our impact. I want specifically to provide a space and platform for BIPOC to be involved in what The Greenbacks has to offer, as well as engaging high schoolers and college fly fishing groups. We will of course continue to hold fun and engaging community events such as raffle and movie nights, fly tying nights, and offering volunteer opportunities for conservation projects.

HCA: The Greenbacks have a reputation for organizing fun and engaging events. This past year and a half has been difficult for that kind of activity, but when might followers of The Greenbacks see some of those community events begin again?

We LOVE fun events; it builds a sense of community and engages people who may not be familiar with fly fishing to the world of fly tying, fishing and conservation. We are currently looking to Spring of 2022 for events to take off, with CTU chapter partner events and tying nights in the Boulder/Longmont area. I am so looking forward to re-launching The Greenbacks and making an impact.