The Almagam

She Just Loves That Nature Thing!

By: Collin Bourgeois
CJ 222 News Reporting and Writing Student

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2004

Since her youth, Katie Flehmer has had a deep passion for humanity and nature; its scenic beauty, the cornucopia of life, and a variety of adaptation. It is because of this love for people and the outdoors that Flehmer has committed her life and college career to the preservation of the environment.

But her approach is not a normal one.

Instead of shackling herself to a tree or protesting in front of a dumping cite, Flehmer is taking a new path, one just paved by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Her major, print journalism, is nothing new to the college scene. But her minor, environmental society and culture, is the most recent minor appended to the University’s catalogue for the 2006 school year.

Flehmer is on the right path for her future. During her freshman year she joined The Conservationists, an environmental awareness group on campus that focuses on preserving the environment as well as promoting healthy, all natural ways of living. Just this year she was elected as president of the organization.

“The Conservationists are a group on campus I felt I could get involved with and feel real results,” Flehmer said. “We raise money for grass root’s causes, sponsor events such as run/walks, and hold bake sales to support our newsletter, The Conservationist.”

On top of supporting environmental awareness, Flehmer is also a member of the Wisconsin PIRGS, a non-profit organization that focuses on consumer protection while combining environmental awareness.

“Helping the environment is just one part. You must also help the people who live here, too,” Flehmer said.

After college, Flehmer plans on traveling for a while. Her eyes widened and a smile came to her face when she started to talk about where she wanted to travel.

“Italy. Definitely Italy. Like most places in Europe, Italy has such a rustic look to it and really involves itself with the environment around it. Everything is so green and beautiful.”

She hopes all of her traveling will help her achieve her career dream job; a wandering journalist for National Geographic. By traveling to not only the most beautiful but also the most sullied parts of the earth, Flehmer wants to show the beauty the earth has and also all the devastation man has caused to it.

“It’s not too late,” Flehmer said. “Everyone either thinks that there’s nothing wrong with the earth and everything is ok, or we’re way too deep in already and there’s no hope. There’s still hope. I want to photograph and record these places so the people will know that they can still do something; that they can still act.”

When asked how she gained a personality of selflessness, Flehmer laughed. “I don’t know. My parents are very conservative, which always leads to heated debates at dinner. We don’t add up on anything. My younger brother is conservative, which fuels the debate. My older sister is a moderate, so she can see both sides of the story. I guess I’m the other extreme.”