Scholar Spotlight: Lettice Brown
Lettice Brown, a 2023 Lancaster Watershed Leadership Academy Scholar, is the MS4 Coordinator for the City of York’s Public Works Department. She is on the board of The Watershed Alliance of York and volunteers with the American Red Cross. In her free time, Lettice enjoys reading, listening to music, cooking, and traveling and has competed twice in the Miss Fashion Global Modeling Competition in Destin Florida.
We recently asked her about her experience with the Academy.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in the Watershed Leadership Academy?
A: I had gotten an email about this and since I am already in the stormwater realm, I thought learning more leadership skills and learning about Lancaster County (my neighboring county) I thought it would be a great idea.
Q: What is your main motivating factor to strive for clean water?
A: Water gives me tranquility and I want clean water for drinking and recreation and for continued tranquility. Should our waters become so polluted, the human race may be in trouble.
Q: What were your first thoughts about the Academy?
A: I wasn’t sure what to expect. I saw some similarities between this course material and the leadership class I went through in York 2 – 3 years ago. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was also happy that my friend Stephanie was in the class too – so at least I knew someone.
Q: What has changed in the way you look at the environment since you began the Academy?
A: I learned a great deal about agriculture in Pennsylvania. I was born and raised in York City and am now working for the city, I knew nothing about agriculture, except about what other people told me and the fact that agriculture is where our biggest reductions in pollution lie. I also enjoyed the friends I have made throughout this journey.
For her Academy Action Project, Lettice worked with fellow scholars Sally Reynolds and Stephanie Lower, and Pennsylvania’s Green Infrastructure Project Coordinator at Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Emily Broich to create a 190-foot buffer of native trees and shrubs along the north side of the Spring Hill Park in Manheim Township.
When asked what she hoped to accomplish through her participation in Lancaster Watershed Leadership Academy, Lettice said, “A better understanding of Lancaster’s watersheds, about agriculture, to learn how to lead in my particular area of expertise.”
