Meet our New Development Manager, Willow!
Before joining us, Willow was the Development Associate for EcoForesters. They recently received a master’s degree in Environmental Resilience from UNC Asheville, where they also earned a B.S. in Biology.
Get to know Willow through some fun Q&A. Be sure to click the button to get the full story!
What’s your favorite Nature Center animal?
I’m a big fan of reptiles–my research at UNCA focused on West Indian boas–so I’d have to say Lucius, the leucistic black rat snake. Though our bobcats, Tufts and Kohana, are a close second!
What’s the most interesting animal you’ve ever seen in the wild?
When visiting family in Hawaii a couple of years ago, we saw a Hawaiian monk seal, one of the most endangered seal species in the world. Their total population is around 1600 individuals, so it was an incredibly special experience!
What do you love most about Western North Carolina?
My favorite thing about WNC is our incredible nature (who could have guessed?). We are so lucky to live in one of the most biodiverse places in the world, and I feel like I learn something new about our flora and fauna every day!
What are you most excited about in your new position?
I’ve always wanted to work with wildlife, and though I may not be a zookeeper like five-year-old Willow imagined, benefiting the animals I love by raising funds to support their care and conservation is a dream come true.
Do you have a favorite outdoor activity or hobby?
I enjoy hikes that involve a healthy bit of mushroom foraging. I took one mycology class as an undergrad, and now I can’t shut up about fungi! The funny thing is, I don’t even like eating them–I just think they’re neat.
What’s a fun fact about yourself that might surprise people?
I used to trail run, and did a couple of self-supported ultramarathons! The most difficult was running from the Folk Art Center to the Mountains-to-Sea trail, which is over 30 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation gain.
Email Willow at [email protected] to schedule a Wild Walk & Talk and learn more about the Friends’ next fundraising project!