Marilyn Brink

Marilyn brings her expertise and an extensive career working with young children and families to her role as a Little Trees substitute. Marilyn has a BS in Therapeutic Recreation and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Her professional experiences range from programs for young children in early intervention services, child welfare, and Head Start to adjunct faculty in ECE Departments at area community colleges.

Marilyn was instrumental in developing and teaching the courses for a nature-based ECE certificate program at Morton College. A first of its kind in Illinois! Marilyn sees adults as the gate-keepers to young children’s access to nature and has worked to make nature and nature play available to every child.

As the Manager of Professional Development for the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Marilyn led the NatureStart™ Professional Development program. In that role, she facilitated a program with the focus on informal educators across the US and internationally who work in zoos, aquariums, nature-based settings to develop enhanced skills and understanding of how the young child learns and optimize the child’s experience in those spaces and beyond.

Marilyn has seven nature-loving grandchildren and believes nature is a second language all young children can and should have the opportunity to learn!