Embery was a trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation, a professional fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a member of the Advisory Board of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's Wildlife Health Center, and a founding member the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
[2][3] She has raised awareness of animals and wildlife conservation through her books, tours, projects, and appearances on television shows.
She was especially enjoyed by Johnny Carson and his audiences, where various animal guests included a baby elephant who could “paint,” a tarantula, a baby rhinoceros, a lion cub, and a pygmy marmoset who jumped from Joan’s arm to Johnny’s arm, up to his shoulder, then to the top of his head, before sitting quietly and urinating there, on live television.
The Pillsbury Land & Livestock Co. property hosted many fundraisers for civic, environmental, and animal conservation groups over the years.
[6] In addition to being an environmental advocate, Embery is a skilled horsewoman who has won many trophies, including in the areas of dressage, cutting, jumping, and driving.