About Us

Wilderness Louisville, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 with a mission to be champions for Louisville’s natural areas, from Jefferson Memorial Forest – the nation’s largest municipally-owned urban forest – to the ones in your neighborhood. We work in partnership with the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Parks and Recreation to promote the development, stewardship, and community awareness of these important public spaces.

Mission Statement

We are champions for Louisville’s natural areas from Jefferson Memorial Forest, the nation’s largest city-owned urban forest, to the ones in your neighborhood.

Vision Statement

Nature is for Everyone

What We’ve Done

Wilderness Louisville is proud to say that, in 2019, our support helped Natural Areas staff provide nearly 5,000 youth with critical connections to nature. This is just one example of how this partnership between Wilderness Louisville, Inc. and Louisville Metro Government is advancing the public good. To view our 2019 annual report which outlines our progress made during the year, please click the link below.

2019 Annual Report

Meet the Wilderness Louisville Board of Directors

These individuals dedicate their time in service of protecting and enhancing natural areas for enjoyment by all. Interested in doing the same? Reach out to us at [email protected]!

Andy ReynoldsChair

Waste Management
Government Affairs Manager

Krista Drescher-BurkeVice Chair

Drescherbee, LLC
Program Evaluator and Grants Consultant

Sharon BondTreasurer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Retired Program Manager

Tiffany OgunsanyaDEI Officer

LG&E/KU
Pipeline Safety Management System Analyst

Kate MillerSecretary

ACLU of Kentucky
Advocacy Director

Kendall BoydMember

Connor CaudillMember

Caudill Seed and Warehouse Inc.
Vice President

Chuck HaddawayMember

Portland Christian School
Athletics Director

Lynn RippyMember

YouthBuild Louisville
Executive Director

Randal StroboMember

Strobo Barkley PLLC
Attorney

Patricia TennenMember

KY Youth Advocates
Chief Office of Strategic Initiatives

Vicki WelchMember

Louisville Metro Government
Retired

William WrightMember

Louisville MSD
Innovation Program Manager

Prasanthi PersadEx-Officio

Wilderness Louisville
Executive Director

Jessica KaneEx-Officio

Louisville Parks and Recreation
Park & Recreation Administrator

Ozzy GibsonEx-Officio

Louisville Parks and Recreation
Interim Director

Meet Natural Areas/JMF Staff

These are the wonderful people who go above and beyond to create magic outdoors. Interested in joining this team? Check out our employment page!

Jessica KaneParks Administrator

Jessica received a degree in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College in Florida. In addition to her degree, she is certified in environmental education, First Aid/CPR, and scuba! Nature and environmental education have always been a part of Jessica’s life. Watching children experience the forest for the first time is what drives her love for JMF. Promoting and advocating for equitable access to nature for everyone is also a personal passion. When not working at the forest, Jessica enjoys yoga, hiking with her pup, and cooking.

Cimara DunnGuest Services Manager

Cimara received a Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Louisville and is currently studying Wildlife Sciences. She is fascinated by the human dimensions of conservation and loves to connect people with nature through her work in Louisville’s Natural Areas. In her free time, you can find her painting, cooking, playing board games with friends, or out on the trails with her partner, Houston, and their dog, Yucca.

Samantha SatterlyGuest Services Supervisor

Samantha holds a degree in communications and is currently working on finishing her master’s degree in sustainability. Samantha says that she believes in the healing power of nature and considers the forest a sanctuary. In her free time, she enjoys reading poetry, practicing yoga, and studying bushcraft skills.

Lavel WhiteCommunity Outreach Specialist

Lavel studied Communications and minored in Pan African Studies at the University of Louisville. Lavel is a documentary filmmaker and photographer that has produced documentaries for the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, including More Than Bricks and Mortar: The Sheppard Square Story and More Than Bricks and Mortar: Smoketown A New Beginning. He has also produced “We All We Got,” Hood 2 Hood a documentary about violence and incarceration and the effects it has on the inner-city youth and most recently the Beecher Terrace Story that is on constant rotation on KET KY. Lavel was selected as a 2019 BMe Genius Fellow and received a generous grant towards community projects that impacted the Louisville community. He is also is an Ignite Louisville Fall 2019 Graduate and a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Lavel loves nature and taking walks at parks in his local community.

Shauna BellWelcome Center Assistant

Shauna is a long-time resident of Fairdale and has spent an immeasurable amount of time in and around the forest. Shauna has been working at the forest since 2019 and aspires to further her career with the parks department. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, especially her baby boy Morris.

Andrea MaddenPermanent Part-time Welcome Center Assistant

Andrea loves being surrounded by nature. She can be found exploring the forest or playing in her back yard with her 2 kiddos and partner, Ryan. Andrea is very excited about having the opportunity to work at Jefferson Memorial Forest. She is most excited about connecting people with nature, especially kids.

John StuderLand Management Parks Manager

John joined the forest after graduating from the University of Missouri. He works in our land management department, conserving and protecting the forest against invasive species and erosion. When not working, John enjoys hiking, golfing, and traveling, and is also an experienced sailor. When asked why he loves JMF, John stated that his appreciation stemmed from the forest’s size and accessibility to the population.

Jade GloreLand Management Supervisor

Jade is a long-time resident of Louisville, KY and has enjoyed trips to Jefferson Memorial Forest for many years. He graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina where he received a degree in both Environmental Studies and Political Science. At the Forest, Jade works with the Land Management team to remove invasive plants, build and maintain the trails, and generally be a steward of the Natural Areas land. When he’s not at work Jade can be found on other trails across the country camping and backpacking with his dog, Pluto, and his partner, Jessie. He also enjoys cooking yummy food, reading strange books, and attending outdoor concerts. He loves working at the forest because he gets to support this beautiful forest that is a gem for everyone in the beautifully diverse Louisville community.

David GooteeHorticultural Park Worker

I have enjoyed the outdoors my entire life so being able to work at JMF is very exciting for me. I enjoy kayaking and fishing in my spare time as well as spending time with my wife & two Jack Russell terriers Chloe and Junior.

Devin SpurgeonHorticultural Park Worker

I have always loved the outdoors especially hiking and camping. I enjoy spending time with family and friends playing board games and taking our son for walks along with our two beagle mixes. I enjoy traveling and visiting different National Parks.

VacantForester I

David GrissomProgram Manager

David attended Murray State University, where he received degrees in recreation and leisure studies with an emphasis on outdoor recreation. In addition to his degrees, David is certified in First Aid/CPR and is an American Canoe Association Level 2 River Instructor. As the recreation supervisor, David trains, schedules, and supervises seasonal and full-time staff for the programs department. When David isn’t working at the forest, he enjoys cooking, backpacking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. A fun fact about David is that he was once the drummer in his high school’s Ska band! When asked why he loves JMF, he stated that the forest has many recreation options for the citizens of Louisville, which is rare for urban areas.

VacantRecreation Supervisor

Christa WeidnerNaturalist

Christa graduated from Bellarmine University with a major in math and a minor in biology. At the forest, her main responsibilities are the Environmental Education programs and ECHO school program. She also oversees the education animals, Environmental Education Center, Nature Explore Classroom and Nature Play Areas. When she’s not overseeing the forest’s outstanding education program, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, baking, and birding. A fun fact that she wishes the world to know is that she studied wildlife management in Kenya. Christa’s love of the forest stems from her first job at JMF as a seasonal employee. It was here that she quickly discovered that she wanted to be in the field of Environmental Education. Christa continued in the field for several years before she was lucky enough to come back to JMF as a full time Naturalist. Little did she know how much impact working at JMF would have on her life. She met her husband here, and has since had two beautiful children and has met many wonderful people along the way. All because of a seasonal position she accepted years ago.

Ginny DelaneyNaturalist

Ginny became part of the forest team in 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree in exceptional child education from Brescia University in Owensboro, KY and a master’s in elementary education from the University of Louisville. In addition to her degrees, she is certified as a KY professional environmental educator and an interpretive guide. In her role at JMF, she works closely with the ECHO school program and is working to develop more opportunities for families to explore and connect in the outdoors together. She is passionate about helping to provide equitable access to nature and is a member of the KY Association for Environmental Education where she serves on the committee for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. In her free time, she enjoys calling for owls, staring at the moon, raising monarch butterflies, gardening, kayaking, camping, hiking, and game nights with her family.

Autumn CostelleNaturalist

Autumn received dual degrees in Environmental Science and Animal Studies. She is also a certified interpretive guide. Besides coordinating all the outdoor recreation and environmental education programs for the forest, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and traveling with her family. When she’s not hiking, she sings Disney songs to entertain herself. So, if you hear a Disney princess out in the forest, it’s probably Autumn!. When asked why she loves JMF, she stated that she’s passionate about JMF’s mission of getting kids access to nature.

Rachel YoungNaturalist

Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Education with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is at her happiest when helping youth discover nature (preferably in costume)! Rachel previously worked at JMF as an Americorps VISTA, helping with marketing and outreach for the Louisville ECHO program. When she’s not outdoors hiking, running, or kayaking, you can find her crafting, watching Dateline, and spending time with her family, friends, partner Madison, and Australian cattle dog mix Chewie.

Logan MattinglyNaturalist

Logan found her calling to work outdoors with children when she was 17 years old as a camp counselor, and returned every summer since. She studied Psychology and Spanish at University of Louisville and created her degree called Interpersonal Relations with ambitions to help others. After experiences guiding children and teens in canoe trips, spelunking, rock climbing, team building, hiking, and through social and emotional growth, she realized that Outdoor Recreation is how she would help others—by connecting them to themselves, to others, and to nature. Logan’s favorite things to do include funny dances, yoga, rock climbing with friends, reading, and learning new things.

Mark ChaffinsGuest Services Maintenance Supervisor

Mark is an I.S.A. Certified Arborist, a Kentucky Certified Nurseryman, and is a licensed pesticide applicator. He spends his free time studying the guitar and cycling with Vicki his wife of 29 years.

Jonathan CallisPark Worker II

Jonathan enjoys kayaking, camping, hiking and mountain biking. “I have always loved the outdoors, especially the woods and water. It is rewarding to be on the team that maintains the forest for others to enjoy. Working at JMF allows me to be in the environment that I love

Kris DavenportPark Worker II

Another vital member of our parks staff is Kris Davenport, who also conducts maintenance on our Parks facilities. When he’s not working at the forest, Kris enjoys building and modifying firearms. A fun fact about Kris is that he has 6 kids! When asked why he loves the forest, he stated that he loves nature, and the job allows him to be in an environment he loves.

Jimmy WatersPark Worker II

Jimmy Waters is a long-time member of our Maintenance crew. He is a Christian, is married and has 18 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Jimmy has lived his entire life in Fairdale. He began operating heavy equipment as a teenager, a skill he puts to great use here at JMF. Jimmy’s hobbies are woodworking and puzzles.

Courtney PoundPark Worker II

Courtney was born and raised in the city of Louisville. She enjoys working at the park because she loves being outdoors, and taking care of the parks that she once enjoyed as a child. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her kids outdoors, fishing and exploring.

Land Acknowledgment

Jefferson Memorial Forest recognizes the impact that settlement has had on Native Americans across the land we currently reside on. We recognize that by not acknowledging the Indigenous peoples here before us, we perpetuate the legacy of violence and forced removal carried out by settler colonists.

There is a myth of the “Dark and Bloody Ground”—that Kentucky was merely hunting and battleground. This legend is disproven by thousands of years of rich Indigenous history both across the state and within Jefferson Memorial Forest itself. The state is primarily Shawnee, Chickasaw, Cherokee, and Osage land. The falsehood that there were no permanent residents was initially a land sales pitch and persists today as a tool to absolve settlers and their descendants from confronting their history of land theft, forced assimilation, and genocide.

The introduction of infectious diseases, stolen land, and predatory treaties attempted to completely destroy Native American ways of life. Though forced expulsion had been taking place for decades, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 barbarously removed many Native Americans and established the murderous Trail of Tears, violently seizing their land with little to no compensation. Although these nations are not federally recognized within the state, we seek to honor the vibrant Indigenous history of the land we occupy, as well as the thousands of Native Americans present in Kentucky today.

Land acknowledgment is only one component of supporting Indigenous communities. We hope our reflection will inspire others to learn about their role, and stand with us in solidarity with Native nations.

Learn what lands you occupy:
https://native-land.ca/

Native-Led Organizations to Support:
IllumiNative
https://illuminative.org/

National Congress of American Indians
https://www.ncai.org/

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
https://www.csvanw.org/

Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition
https://gcnativeamericancoalition.com/

Sources
Culture History of Jefferson Memorial Forest
http://eyhuiipthm2.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Jefferson-Memorial-Forest-Cultural-History-.pdf

A Native History of Kentucky | Kentucky Heritage Council
https://heritage.ky.gov/Documents/Native_History_KyTeachers.pdf

The People of the Hunting Ground
http://www.thepeopleofthehuntingground.com/about.html

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment | Native Governance Center
https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/

Indigenous Lands Acknowledgment | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
https://archive.kftc.org/indigenous-lands-acknowledgment

Dispelling the Myth: Seventeeth- and Eighteenth-Century Indian Life in Kentucky | Preservation Kentucky
http://preservationkentucky.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Dispelling-the-Myth-17th-18th-Century-Indian-Life-in-KY.pdf

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Nature is for Everyone

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