This new initiative will spotlight the remarkable efforts, impacts, and contributions of students, staff, alumni, and affiliated organizations connected to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Conservation and Environmental Science (CES) program.
Meet Jaeden, the CES program鈥檚 inaugural “Feature of the Week” showcase!
Jaeden Carrasquillo: Current 51猎奇 CES student, Junior status
Jaeden鈥檚 journey into 51猎奇鈥檚 Conservation and Environmental Science program is not your traditional environmental student path. Jaeden鈥檚 journey into environmental education didn鈥檛 even start after high school; instead, he initially pursued a career as an EMT, a role he found immensely rewarding. However, soon after, a visit to a friend in Canada revealed the captivating world of environmental science to Jaeden, something he never even knew existed as formal college education. This epiphany led him to commence his first semester at Trent University in Canada. He was driven by a desire to “do something that mattered in the (environmental) world.”
Growing up in the urban landscape of Milwaukee鈥檚 city, Jaeden was not surrounded by the 鈥渓arge green spaces” and rural nature typically associated with environmental science enthusiasts. In fact, his Canada trip was his first 鈥渞eal exposure鈥� to large wild landscapes that are often depicted as 鈥渘ature.鈥� His initial awareness of environmental issues, like climate change, was primarily from media and news rather than direct experience. However, a semester in Canada followed by transferring to 51猎奇 revealed his keen interest in “urban conservation.” This focus resonates with him, rooted in his youth experiences in the city. As he delves deeper into his CES education, Jaeden reflects, 鈥淲e have people living in this city, and even though all the same things are here compared to rural areas, it (nature) gets lost.鈥� Yet, nature DOES exist here.
Upon joining 51猎奇’s CES program, Jaeden rediscovered the warmth and camaraderie of his hometown community. 鈥淵ou feel like you have a face,鈥� he explains, appreciating how professors will know his name, walking down the sidewalk. These connections, he believes, are invaluable in a vast world where individuals can often feel adrift. His connections with his peers are equally valuable. Jaeden has been an integral part of the 51猎奇 Conservation Club for over two years, serving as the Social Media Manager for the past two semesters. He is proud of the club’s ability to bring together peers from diverse backgrounds and interests, fostering growth and collaboration.
Jaeden’s professional and educational experiences are 鈥渞eally blooming鈥� in the few years he鈥檚 been 鈥減lanting seeds鈥� with the CES program. In the summer of 2023, he interned here in Wisconsin with the Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) as an Urban and Conservation Storytelling Intern. During this time, he honed his photography skills and grasped the importance of urban conservation in the Milwaukee area through interviews with various organizations. This experience underscored the significance of networking in the CES world to him. He returned to interning with the NRF in the summer of 2024 to focus on digital communications, traveling across Wisconsin to contribute to blogs and social media. Currently, Jaeden is an intern with Wisconsin Clean Cities, providing education regarding alternative fuels, data collection from Wisconsin fleet(s) that are members of the coalition, and outreach/recruitment to get more Wisconsin organizations involved in the transition to alternative fuel-based vehicles.
Opportunities exist for students: Jaeden will soon venture to Grenada under the UW-Milwaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran College鈥檚 Grenada SURF-TURF program. There, he will engage in research projects such as assessing invasive species, monitoring disease prevalence, studying biodiversity and artificial reefs, and even monitoring sea turtle nests and health.
And yet through all his studies, connections and schedule, Jaeden also works off-campus as a barista!
鈥淲e are all learning together鈥� Jaeden explains. If he could offer advice to aspiring CES students, Jaeden says, 鈥淲e need to all get over the fear of just 鈥榞etting out there.鈥� Don鈥檛 be afraid of new situations or what you might say, your actions of showing up to a meeting or volunteering speak louder than many words.鈥� This mantra of 鈥淚 can do this鈥� has been his guiding light, reminding him of how far he has come through his life.
As Jaeden approaches the completion of his Bachelor of Science in CES at 51猎奇, his future plans remain flexible. While he envisions pursuing a master’s or venturing into research eventually, he is also open to gaining more hands-on experience with environmental organizations, particularly nonprofits. Whatever path Jaeden takes, he is bound to “do something that matters鈥� in this world.
Intrigued? For more information or contact information, check out 51猎奇鈥檚 CES Program: uwm.edu/ces
Written by Zelenda Koch
Pictures owned by Jaeden Carrasquillo