Q&A: Gail Farmer, Woman of Community Engagement & Environmental Education

Gail Farmer will be honored at PennFuture's 2018 Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards for her leadership as executive director of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. She will receive the Woman of Community Engagement and Environmental Education Award.

In the interview she explains that she grew up in Massachusetts, spending much of her childhood exploring the undeveloped hill behind her house with her twin sister. Those outdoor adventures instilled a deep appreciation for nature. She studied at Antioch College, which offered a progressive curriculum and cooperative work experiences, and later worked as a veterinary technician.

Farmer went on to devote her career to environmental education and community engagement. As executive director of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association she leads efforts to preserve open space, improve water quality and connect residents to nature through education programs and advocacy. She credits her experiences and mentors for shaping her passion for conservation and encourages others to get involved.