Friends of Wildwood

The Friends of Wildwood enhance Wildwood Park as a haven for visitors and wildlife through education, volunteerism, and fundraising.

By joining or donating, your dollars go directly toward supporting Wildwood Park and the Nature Center.

Goals of Friends of Wildwood:

Educate visitors on ways to enjoy and preserve Wildwood Park and the natural world.

Support volunteers and staff across a variety of programs and initiatives at Wildwood Park.

Provide supplemental funding for Wildwood Park needs, including operating expenses, upgrades, facility improvements, and repairs.

How do the Friends Support the Park?

  • Public programs including the Winter Lecture Series, Wild About Dogs, Photo Contest, Art In The Wild, Workshops and Environmental Education programs
  • Volunteer support for Wetlands Festival and Celebrate Wildwood
  • Capital Projects: Trail & Stream Improvements 
  • Olewine Nature Center Exhibit Hall
  • Park Amenities
  • Boardwalks
  • Native Plantings & Habitat Enhancements
  • Old Growth Tree Preservation – Ash Trees and Beech Trees
  • Wildlife Research and Support

Current Board Members & Officers

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. The volunteer Board plays a vital role in inspiring support for Wildwood Park.

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; Patricia Cattuti; Karen Cullings; Heather Dock; Nancy Graham; Tom Hilbish; Kate Konkle; Walt E. Meshaka Jr, Ph.D; Julie Metzger; Mary Nancarrow; Chris Rebert, Wildwood Park Manager; Jessica Shilladay; Anthea Stebbins, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Director; and Gene Wingert.

Join the Friends Today

Friends of Wildwood Non-Discrimination Policy: The Friends of Wildwood is committed to ensuring in all of its endeavors that no individual is treated less favorably because of race, gender, creed, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or disability.  This policy applies to, but is not necessarily limited to, Board of Directors and other recruitment, volunteer participation, contracting and sub-contracting and program development.

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