It is hard to believe, but a month has passed since I started as the new Executive Director of Piedmont Wildlife Center. And let me tell you, this place has been busy! It still feels like a dream come true coming to work everyday at Leigh Farm Park, whether it is seeing this incredible passionate staff or popping in to visit our animal ambassadors running their “laps” or hopping along underfoot. I cannot imagine having more fun than this!

With the end of summer comes the natural cycle of rest and renewal looking towards the fall and winter months. I am hard pressed to say that currently extends to the efforts at Piedmont as we all are looking forward to busy homeschool and intersession camps, along with the new Wake Wild for a Day camps, and our upcoming Autumn Adventures Auction (did someone say penguin experience)! What I have quickly learned over my last month at Piedmont is the tireless dedication by our education and conservation staff knows no bounds when it comes to providing engaging nature-based activities for our campers, or top line care for our animal ambassadors who represent the face of the organization. Our staff is small, but oh so mighty.

A huge shout out goes to the Conservation Team, led by Noelle Rizzieri, that successfully passed USDA inspections for our animal habitats this past month! The organization has never needed this certification before, so this herculean effort was no small feat by this team. This could not have been accomplished without the entire team, including a beloved departing staffer Camyrn (don’t be a stranger and come visit). As a matter of fact, I invite all of you to come visit us at Piedmont Wildlife Center this fall!

I’ll close by saying this - each day this fall when I am at the “office” at Piedmont, I get to hear the joy and laughter of kids playing outside in our homeschool or intersession camps.

And there is simply nothing better than that.

Yours in service,

Nick DiColandrea (Executive Director)