Friends of Wildwood

Learn More About Friends of Wildwood

The Friends of Wildwood is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that depends on your support to continue programs, enhancements, and additions to Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center in order to showcase this treasured natural retreat within the City of Harrisburg.

By joining or donating, your dollars go directly towards supporting Wildwood Park and the Nature Center, reaching more than 10,000 people annually through Environmental Education programs. The Friends Board currently consists of about twenty members including a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who represent the broad interests of the public. They provide creative programming, help raise Park funding and provide technical assistance.

Current Board Members & Officers

Board members and officers serve without compensation. Directors are elected at the Annual Meeting, held in November, to serve for three (3) years beginning with the first day of the new year and are limited to two (2) consecutive terms.

• President: Jim Caufield
• Vice President: Moe Hickey
• Secretary: Shawn Scott
• Treasurer: Pam Kroh

Board Members: Mary Laverty Bigelow, Ph.D; Carol Buck; Pat Cattuti; Ginny DeChristopher; Heather Dock; Nancy Graham; Thomas Hilbish; Lee Johnson; Kate Konkle; Carol Lopus; Walt E. Meshaka Jr, Ph.D;  Mary Nancarrow; Chris Rebert, Wildwood Park Manager; Jessica Shilladay; Anthea Stebbins, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Director; and Gene Wingert.

Join the Friends Today

How do the Friends Support the Park?

• Public programs including the Winter Lecture Series, Photo Contest, Art In The Wild, Workshops and Environmental Education programs
• Wetlands Festival and Celebrate Wildwood
• Capital Projects: Trail & Site Improvements 
• Olewine Nature Center Exhibit Hall
• Park Amenities
• Boardwalks
• Native Plantings & Habitat Enhancements
• Emerald Ash Borer Prevention to preserve old growth ash trees
• Turtle Research, and much more!