The Florida Wildlife Federation is one of the oldest conservation organizations in Florida and celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026. As a nod to the people behind our organization that power our work, we’re excited to spotlight the “Faces of FWF.” These individuals dedicate their time and expertise to our mission of safeguarding Florida’s water, wildlife, and wild spaces by taking action today to prevent irreversible loss tomorrow.
Our first feature is Dr. René Wiesner Brown. She serves as Board Chair of FWF, bringing more than two decades of experience in land conservation, ecology, and climate science. She provides steady, informed leadership grounded in science, collaboration, and long-term vision. By working closely with staff and fellow board members to strengthen the organization’s governance and advancing its strategic priorities, she’s ensuring that Florida’s lands, wildlife, and waterways are protected for future generations.
Dr. René Wiesner Brown, FWF Board Chair
Dr. Brown’s career reflects a deep commitment to protecting natural resources through science-based policy, effective land management, and collaboration across local, state, national, and global scales. In her current position as the Senior Director of Habitat Restoration for Ecosphere Restoration Institute she helps to plan and implement habitat restoration projects throughout the greater Tampa Bay region and recently worked to establish Ecosphere as an official partner in the UN Race to Resilience campaign.
Early in her career, she was a Program Manager with the Land Trust Alliance, the national umbrella organization for land trusts, gaining broad experience in conservation strategy and organizational leadership.
After moving to the Tampa Bay area in 2000, Dr. Brown served as an Environmental Specialist with Hillsborough County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, where she contributed to the management and restoration of more than 40,000 acres of conservation lands. She also sought to engage locally and became a founding board member of the Tampa Bay Conservancy. She later served as its President and Program Director, helping to shape the organization during its formative years and strengthening land protection efforts in the region.
She also gained experience in Pasco County as the Natural Resources Manager and was the inaugural Program Manager of the Pasco County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program when it launched in 2005. In this role, she helped build and guide a program that protected and managed critical conservation lands for the benefit of both wildlife and local communities.
In 2018, she joined the FWF Board of Directors as an at-large member, after learning of FWF’s history and accomplishments, and realizing how closely the organization’s mission aligned with her own. She was excited to expand her focus to statewide, seeking to work with the dedicated staff and board to protect wildlife and habitat throughout Florida.
Dr. Brown’s work also extends to the global stage. She is a civil society delegate to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where she works to bridge local conservation action with global climate policy discussions—ensuring that on-the-ground realities inform international decision-making. She has attended multiple Conferences of the Parties (COPs) and intersessional scientific subcommittee meetings, focusing on ecosystem-based solutions and resilience, including as an appointed member of the Expert Review Group of the UN Race to Resilience.
She holds a PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of South Florida and is a Fulbright Scholar. Dr. Brown earned her Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Moravian College.
When Dr Brown isn’t working hard to protect the natural world, she spends her time working on her creative writing skills with the Land O’Lakes Writers’ Group and traveling, this year visiting her 48th State.
The Florida Wildlife Federation is grateful for Dr. Brown’s leadership, expertise, and enduring commitment to protecting wild Florida.
