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

Nature is For Everyone: We are stewards of natural areas and champions of nature education, recreation, and youth. Our mission is to provide and sustain quality natural spaces in Louisville and ensure there is equitable access to the community.

Vision Statement

Wilderness Louisville is a national leader in development of and equitable access to natural areas.

Annual Reports

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 RippyEmeritus Member

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

Michelle KingEx-Officio

Louisville Parks and Recreation
Executive 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 & Recreation Administrator

Jessica (she/her) received a degree in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College in Florida. In addition to her degree, she is a certified Park Professional (CPRP), 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.

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.

Devin SpurgeonHorticultural Park Worker

Devin has always loved the outdoors especially hiking and camping. She enjoys spending time with family and friends playing board games and taking her son for walks along with their two beagle mixes. She enjoys traveling and visiting different National Parks.

David GooteeHorticultural Park Worker

Dave has enjoyed the outdoors his entire life so being able to work at JMF is very exciting for him. He enjoys kayaking and fishing in his spare time as well as spending time with his wife & two Jack Russell terriers Chloe and Junior.

Spencer LongacreForester I

Spencer loves all things outdoors from camping to mountain biking to simply playing in the mud. He has always yearned for a nature based career but didn’t quite have an idea as to what to do until he came to JMF. Having an impact in conservation in his hometown, natural areas and the well being of the life in which it inhabits, fulfills him.

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.

David GrissomProgram Manager

David attended Murray State University, where he received degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis on outdoor recreation. When David isn’t working at the forest, he enjoys cooking, backpacking, rock climbing, and video games. A fun fact about David is that he was once a drummer in a high school ska band!

Matt DouthittRecreation Supervisor

James “Matt” Douthitt (he/him) started with JMF in 2007 as a seasonal programmer and was hired as a Naturalist from 2012 until 2021. Most recently he has returned as the Recreation Supervisor. Since 2007 Matt has been certified as an American Canoe Association instructor and is currently a Level 3 River Canoeing instructor. He has been a Wilderness First Responder with the Wilderness Medicine Institute since 2009, is trained in Wilderness Risk Management with National Outdoor Leadership School and is trained in Level 4 Swift Water Rescue through the American Canoe Association.

Matt has a personal love of sailing and canoeing which spans 20 years and a fascination with water that spans a lifetime. He is a woodworker/ boatbuilder and enjoys restoring Vespas and Land Rovers. Matt graduated from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry and Education.

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.

VacantNaturalist

Rodney PerryECHOmobile Program Lead

Rodney studied cultural Anthropology at the University of Louisville. When he is not engaged in park programming, he enjoys studying recreational Biology and Anthropology, sports in the outdoors and exploring different culinary delights. He also enjoys collecting variety of interesting items.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

VacantWelcome Center Assistant

Cricket DiggsWelcome Center Assistant

Cricket (he/him) is a true believer in the healing power of nature and is ecstatic to be a part of the JMF team. When he’s not welcoming you to the forest, he spends the majority of his time immersing himself in the outdoors whether that be chasing waterfalls, bouldering, camping, basking in the sun, etc! He loves exploring the beautiful terrain Kentucky and the rest of the Appalachian region have to offer! Finds the transformative ability nature has on the mind, body, and soul truly fascinating and is looking forward to finding ways to help others experience the force of nature themselves.

Carter DeVorePermanent Part-time Welcome Center Assistant

Hello! I’m Carter (he/him), a native plant and history enthusiast. You’ll see me out and about attending community programs or reading a book at the library! I’m incredibly excited to be surrounded by the forest and others who care about taking care of it. I love learning, connecting with the world around me, and guiding others to have stronger relationships with their every day surroundings.

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