What was a dream as early as 8th grade for CWEnder Heather Brouillet Navarro has turned into an exciting new career as director of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, the oldest and largest environmental organization in the state of Missouri.
As I write this post, following a fact-finding lunch with Heather at 2Schae Cafe (Pershing & Union), it is so obvious that the path she is on was more than "well chosen," it was meant to be. In grade school Heather learned about environmentalist Robert Kennedy Jr.'s organization Riverkeeper, New York's clean water advocate, and was excited to learn that you could actually do something to help the planet.
Heather and her husband Diego, who teaches theology at St. Louis U. High, met as students at Washington University, where she majored in environmental studies. Following their marriage they went to Guatemala to volunteer for Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and then came back to St. Louis and settled in the CWE when their first child was on his way.
Later, Heather attended WU law school part time, as she had a second child (the children are now 7 & 9) and limited time to pursue her degree. While there Heather was able to gain valuable experience working in an interdisciplinary environmental clinic which was monitoring the Missouri River.
Many CWEnders know Heather as a neighbor, one of the founders of CWE Families & Friends, through her committee work on the creation of Kennedy Park at Washington & Olive, or as a former board member of the CWEA. Before being appointed director of the Coalition, Heather worked for the law firm of Thomas E. Kennedy III on civil rights and special education issues. She said she was sad to leave Kennedy's firm, as she loved her work there, but the opportunity to be the director of the Coalition was a dream come true.
On its website the Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE) is described as a non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) that educates and activates Missourians to protect our natural resources." Founded in 1969 by Kay & Leo Drey, Lewis C. Green, Barry Commoner and others, the organization's many accomplishments are documented on the website. The Coalition concentrates on education, public engagement and legal action.
At the conclusion of our visit I asked Heather which of the many issues MCE has on its plate she finds the most challenging. Here is her reply:
"One of our biggest issues is that the State is decades behind in complying with the Clean Water Act. The state was to have classified all of the US waters in Missouri with a specific use (swimmable, fishable, etc.) and then apply criteria and pollution limits based on the classification…" "The big take home," Heather continues, "is that over 80% of the streams and lakes in Missouri have no criteria or pollution limits on who can dump what into them… " (read more here).
Heather ended with the following: "If there is one issue for me, that would be it (above)…or the removal of radioactive waste from Westlake Landfill Superfund Site in the floodplain in an unlined, uncapped landfill, 1,200 feet away from a smoldering, uncontrolled, underground landfill fire. Whew!"
While these are such overwhelming issues, it's comforting to know there is an organization that is paying attention and trying to do something about them.
Membership in MCE starts at $40, or you can make a donation to help the organization continue its valuable work. Visit the website here.
Heather is a real gem and asset to the CWE. Good luck in your new career and remember the environmental benefits of public transit and walking.
Heather, you and my daughter Rachel McShane should meet. Her degree is in Conservation Biology and she teaches Environmental Biology at St. Charles Community college. She might be able to help with educational efforts, etc.
I saw Heather speak at New City School the other night on the Delmar Divide. We are clearly lucky to have such an articulate and active neighbor!