Lee Hansen

The Emily Oaks Nature Center Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Nature Center, including the Visitor Facility, 13-acre preserve, and Kawaga Garden, while providing engaging nature and outdoor recreation programs for the Skokie Park District community. Hansen leads the development of educational and recreational programs, coordinates special events, adult classes, and trips, and ensures services align with the Nature Center's mission. In addition to supervising staff and maintaining facilities, Hansen oversees the upkeep of outdoor spaces. She ensures compliance with safety and environmental standards and leads initiatives such as the Environmental Action Team.

In her free time, Hansen enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s taking her mom for walks in local parks and to the lakeshore, gardening with native plants, or engaging in land restoration projects. She has a deep passion for outdoor recreation, including canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, and tree climbing. A fun fact about Hansen is that she once cycled 4,200 miles from Iowa to Alaska during her college years! One of her greatest joys is seeing children who once participated in Emily Oaks programs return as adults. Hansen cannot live without the earth, finding inspiration in its wild places and the gifts of water, air, soil, and the creatures that inhabit it. Her favorite music genres are Folk, 60s and 70s pop and rock, as well as John Denver and Girl Named Tom.