Ana Munro, a professor at North Hennepin Community College, leads the Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program — an innovative, hands-on initiative that connects students to nature, community, and careers in the environmental field. In this month’s Community Profile, Ana shares how the program has grown from a single class into a full degree, the importance of access and inclusion in outdoor spaces, and why she’s so inspired by the students who are shaping the future of environmental leadership. Ana, along with several students and mentors from the program, will join us for the upcoming Next Generation of Parks event on April 17 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The evening will feature a documentary screening that follows students through this transformative program, along with in-person reflections and stories that showcase their personal journeys in the outdoors. Don’t miss it — reserve your seat today!

What was your introduction to the outdoors and how does this shape your work today?

“For me, being in nature has always felt like home—where I feel the most comfortable, safe, and authentic. I come from a family of adventurers. My father grew up very poor in England, near the Lake District, which is a place filled with natural beauty. For him, nature was an escape, and he became a mountaineer and a zoologist, so I spent a great deal of my childhood outdoors, always waiting at the top or bottom of a mountain while he climbed. My mother was a windsurfer and a tennis player, so I also spent a lot of time at the beach as well. Being in nature has always been a source of pure joy for me.

My goal today, as an educator, is to make sure young people have those same opportunities and access to the natural world. Back in the UK, I ran an international program, taking students all over—to castles, historic sites, the coast, and on hiking and climbing trips. And when I moved to Minnesota in 2009 for my job at North Hennepin Community College, I saw that same potential. We’re incredibly lucky to have such amazing outdoor opportunities for students—it’s just about making sure people have access to them.”

Can you tell us about the Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program that you facilitate at North Hennepin Community College?

“The program really came to life during COVID. We wanted to reconnect students with each other, get them outside in nature, and, most importantly, create clear career pathways in the environmental field. It was about finding ways for students to connect with mentors who are already out there doing the work.

It began in 2022 with the Environmental Justice and Nature Immersion course—a collaborative effort with partners like the YMCA, Minnesota DNR, Three Rivers Park District, and several school districts. Each fall, the program brings 40 urban college and high school students, primarily from underrepresented communities in the Brooklyn Park/Minneapolis area, to Camp Northern Lights for an immersive, 8-week, 4-credit college experience focused on environmental justice, hands-on learning, and community building. The program has since grown to include an Outdoor Leadership course for returning students, a semester-long internship, and a new two-year degree in Outdoor and Environmental Leadership launching this summer, designed to transfer seamlessly to four-year universities in Minnesota.”

What are some of the key themes and goals of the program?

“As an immigrant to Minnesota, I quickly learned about the deep cultural significance of going ‘up north,’ the tradition of cabins and camps. But not everyone has access to these experiences. Minnesota is full of incredible natural places, and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy them. So a key theme of this program is access—breaking down financial, structural, and knowledge barriers so students know these places exist and feel empowered to explore them. 

Another major focus is community. Students come from all over the Twin Cities, from different cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds. Yet, they build these deep, supportive friendships—both with each other and with the mentors who are privileged to guide them. There’s something special about watching those bonds form. I had one student write in her feedback, ‘Oh, teachers can actually be cool,’ and honestly, that meant a lot!

The other key theme is career opportunities. We’re working to make sure that outdoor spaces are more representative—so young people see themselves reflected in the staff but also have a hand in shaping the programming. Whether it’s teaching foraging from their own cultural perspective or bringing new traditions into these spaces, it’s about ensuring that leadership in outdoor education is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the communities we serve.”

What are some of the ways this program has impacted the students and mentors who’ve participated?

“I think when you’re doing the right work, things naturally fall into place. What’s really special about this program is how it connects people—not just with each other, but with the outdoors. When students step outside and engage in hands-on learning, entirely new skill sets emerge. Someone who may have struggled in a traditional academic setting suddenly excels in the wilderness—catching fish, building fires, taking on leadership roles. Maybe they’re introducing others to their Indigenous heritage, speaking their language, or guiding their peers in a way that isn’t always recognized in a classroom but is deeply valued here.

I’m so proud of the incredible partnerships that make this program possible. It’s a true collaboration—The DNR has been an amazing supporter, sending staff to work directly with students. Three Rivers Park District is always willing to make things happen. The International Wolf Center has provided hands-on learning, teaching students about wolf tracking at YMCA Camp Northern Lights. And visiting tribal nations, learning from elders—those are truly transformative experiences.

But at the heart of it all are the students. This program exists because of them. And I get emotional about it because I’ve seen firsthand how it changes lives. These students are leaders. Too often, we talk about doing things ‘for’ students instead of including them in the process. But they deserve to be at the center. They have powerful voices, and they’re proving every day why they should be heard.”

What do you hope to showcase at the upcoming Next Generation of Parks event on April 17, and what can our audience be excited to experience?

“My students—without a doubt. I just love hearing their voices, listening to them share their stories, reminiscing about the fun times we’ve had, but also seeing how much they’ve grown. Many students have transferred to four-year institutions, others are interning, and I even have a student who’s now planning to double major in outdoor leadership and biology—he’ll be on the panel at the event. I’m also excited for students to read their personal climate narratives. These are crafted with Jothsna Harris, program leader and Founder of Change Narrative. For a young person to stand on stage, in front of a huge audience, and share something so meaningful, it takes real courage. It’s just another example of the incredible leadership our students have.

I think, with everything going on right now—cuts to programming, the uncertainty around education—this event is a space where we can come together, listen, and learn from our young people. There’s so much divisiveness in the world, but nature, and our shared love for the Earth is something that unites us, and it’s something that really connects Minnesotans. So I’m just excited to see people come together for an evening of joy. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Ana and hear from this exceptional group of young adults, at the upcoming Next Generation of Parks Event, April 17, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Registration is free and available here!