New Additions to the Wild South Family

As the forest puts on new leaves, Wild South puts on new staff and sprouts fresh, exciting programs. This month, Wild South is proud to welcome several new faces, as well as familiar faces taking on newer and more challenging roles.

Laura Hodge, a longtime friend of the organization and champion of the woods, is climbing to new heights. Hodge previously served as TN Wild’s Business Development Director, and as of May 1st, she will take over Pat Byington’s vacated position as TN Wild Campaign Coordinator. To this position, Hodge brings her strong leadership, her nonprofit management experience, and her love of “trees and frogs and mud and dirt and dogs.” We are excited for this new era of the campaign.

Wild South is honored to welcome Kim Waites. She began her work with Wild South with her boots firmly on the ground as a volunteer wilderness ranger, and has recently accepted the position of Alabama Wilderness Volunteer Coordinator. Through this role Kim will be able to share her knowledge, passion, and wonder for the woods with Alabamians every day.

As a North Carolina Wilderness Ranger, Kayah Gaydish takes every piece of her responsibly seriously, from the smallest flower on the floor of Linville Gorge to the lives of each and every hiker who walks its trails. The Gorge, the WNC community, and the family of Wild South are all lucky to have her among us.

Paige Tester is bringing her passion for the outdoors, her considerable talents as an anthropology student, and her innate understanding of this region as a WNC native to her new position as Lamar Marshall’s assistant with Wild South Cherokee cultural heritage preservation project.

Nkrumah Frazier will be reaching out into the community to forge connections and share his own lifelong love of the land with others through his role as Wild South’s Outreach Coordinator for Mississippi.

Kevin Hussey continues to bridge the gap between people and public land as Wild South’s Wilderness Ranger for Mississippi.

Please remember, Wild South is not a lone wolf but one runner in a tightly knit, interdependent pack. Our work for the wild would not be possible without the support of businesses, organizations, and each and every community member who has given of their time or resources. Please consider lending a hand for public land via a tax-deductible donation.