We’re spotlighting our team — the people who show up every day to make Brooklyn Bridge Park the special place that it is. Today, we highlight Haley McClanahan, our Community Science Manager at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Haley leads hands-on environmental education programs, supports teen apprentices in environmental stewardship, and helps care for the marine life in our Environmental Education Center.
Q: What do you do at Brooklyn Bridge Park?
A: I’m the Community Science Manager in the Education Department. I manage our public fishing and seining programs, oversee the TIDES (Teens Interested In and Dedicated to Environmental Stewardship) teen apprenticeship and internship programs, and take care of the animals in our Environmental Education Center.
Q: What brought you to Brooklyn Bridge Park?
A: I was finishing my master’s in Environmental Conservation Education at NYU and working as a fellow at the New York Aquarium when I started looking for my next step. I came across Brooklyn Bridge Park, saw they were doing exciting waterfront programming, and reached out. At the time, they were opening the Environmental Education Center and needed someone with animal care experience, so the timing was perfect!
Q: Do you have a favorite part of the Park?
A: Pier 4 Beach! We run a lot of our waterfront programs there. It’s more peaceful than other beaches in the park and really central. I love how many different activities happen in that one area.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
A: Definitely seeing people—especially teens—get excited about the same things I care about. It’s powerful to watch young people explore science, connect with nature, and start thinking about what they want to do in the future.
Q: What’s something you wish more people knew about the Park?
A: That it’s not just for people. It was designed to be a habitat too. We’re seeing more and more species show up—this is a thriving ecosystem with incredibly unique access to the water.
Q: Is there a project you’re especially proud of?
A: The TIDES teen program. I’ve been involved since the beginning and have helped shape it into what it is now. It’s growing, and it’s an area we’re continuing to invest in.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: I went to a performing arts school and danced for years, so I still love movement-based activities. I take Pilates, yoga, aerial classes, and even fitness pole dancing. It keeps me grounded and energized.
Q: Favorite animal at the Education Center?
A: The seahorses! A lot of people don’t know they live in the East River. They’re not easy to care for, but we’ve been able to keep them successfully for a few years now, and I’m really proud of that.
Q: What are some of the best parts about working here?
A: The views, especially of Manhattan from our Education Center, are unbeatable. I also love the people I work with. Everyone is passionate about their work, and it’s exciting to reach so many visitors from all over the world with our programming.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: I’m excited about officially joining Brooklyn Bridge Park as an employee (formerly being part of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy) and the opportunities that brings to expand our partnerships and share more of our scientific work with the public.
