Wild Ones Welcomes New Executive Director, Gail Gerhardt
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, a national nonprofit organization that promotes environmentally sound, sustainable landscaping and gardening practices, welcomes a new Executive Director, Gail Gerhardt, following the retirement of long-time Executive Director Donna VanBuecken. “We are very pleased to make this announcement” offered Tim Lewis, Wild Ones’ President. “Gail will bring leadership, creativity and experience to Wild Ones programs, building on Donna’s many years of excellent work.”
Headquartered at the WILD Center near Appleton WI, Wild Ones has chapters, members and volunteers throughout the country. Our organization provides networking and educational opportunities through its headquarters and its many chapter locations, engages in advocacy, works with partners who share its values, and offers volunteer opportunities.
As Gail Gerhardt moves into the position as Executive Director of Wild Ones, she will be pursuing additional partnerships and continuing to work with like-minded organizations and projects. She will work to increase the number of chapters and members, as well as build on Wild Ones’ efforts already in place, among them the Seeds for Education grant program. In accord with our recently completed Strategic Plan, Gail will investigate new initiatives such as setting up a national business coalition of native plant growers and landscapers. “I am very excited about this new challenge” said Gail, “and totally committed to the mission of Wild Ones.”
Gail comes to Wild Ones with impressive business and nonprofit management credentials, including 14 years as Executive Director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin. Her responsibilities there included interacting with regional Association members; representing her organization at the local, state and national levels; and working with Boards of Directors and Trustees of several organizations. Gail has also been a Crisis Intervention Counselor with the Mental Health Department of Outagamie County since 1998.
For further information about Wild Ones, its activities and future plans, visit www.wildones.org or call 920/730-3986 or toll free at 877/394-9453.
