Urban Ecology Commitment Supports Interns

Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center has three Milwaukee campuses—beautiful bits of nature and river access on the edge of busy urban Milwaukee neighborhoods. The center’s mission is “to connect people in cities to nature and each other” and has a strong focus on bringing a focus on sustainability to underserved populations. Johnson Controls is a longtime supporter of the center and recognizes the tie between the center’s mission and Johnson Controls’ sustainability focus. For the third consecutive year, Johnson Controls has provided significant funding for the center’s internship program, which targets young adults who lead environmental education programs. This year, Johnson Controls funding provided support for 26 interns.

“We are very excited about our partnership with Johnson Controls,” said Ken Leinbach, executive director of the center. “Through Johnson Controls’ support, this summer we were able to hire a diverse group of future environmental leaders. Thanks to competitive stipends, offered through this strong partnership, we were able to attract a talented, dynamic, and passionate group of young adults to an internship that fit their career interests.”

Grady Crosby, vice president, Public Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer and president, Johnson Controls Foundation, said Johnson Controls is proud to be a long-term partner of the center—one of many Milwaukee nonprofits that are among the company’s philanthropic priorities. “Our philanthropic strategy includes an intentional focus on our North American and historical headquarters of Milwaukee. We are proud of our philanthropy globally and recognize our responsibility to be a leader in our headquarters locations,” he said.

Jenna Kunde, director of Global Sustainability, is a board member of the Urban Ecology Center, and worked with other Johnson Controls employees to host a resume writing workshop over the summer for the interns. Jenna recognizes the value in supporting programs that allow young adults to gain the environmental experience they need to propel them into careers connected to sustainability,

“When we give our young adults the opportunity to connect with nature and each other, every industry will benefit in the future,” she said. “We need our young people to move into adulthood with a drive to build a sustainable future that encompasses healthy people and a healthy planet. We recognize the value in supporting programs that allow young adults to gain the experience they need to propel them into careers connected to sustainability.”