Community Spotlight: Jenna Williams, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

PICTURED: Jenna Williams

As we embrace the changing seasons, we’re thrilled to spotlight Jenna Williams, our Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at Piedmont Wildlife Center!

With a Bachelor’s in Zoology and a Master’s in Biology, Jenna has held multiple roles at PWC. She joined the organization in 2019 as a Fall Intern and has since served as a Raptor Care Volunteer and Conservation Assistant. In her current position, which she began in August 2024, Jenna manages PWC's volunteer program and organizes our outreach events.

When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Jenna shared, “I love seeing the love for nature blossom in our community, especially when introducing someone to a snake or opossum and watching their fear transform into wonder.”

Outside of work, you can find Jenna reading, spending time with her husband and pets, playing video games, or participating in STARFLEET International activities. When it comes to her favorite Ambassador Animal, she admits it’s a tough choice but she has a soft spot for both Wilbur and Basil!

Pizza With A Purpose: Fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen (11/7/2024)

Join Piedmont Wildlife Center for a pizza fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen, Southpoint Mall, on Thursday, 11/7/24! Show this flyer, and 20% of your check will be donated to PWC.  

In the mood for delivery? Use code BACK20% for an online order from the Southpoint CPK to have part of your check donated.

Additionally, our Ambassadors will be at Southpoint Mall from 5:00-6:30 PM, so swing by to meet some animals and grab a quick bite. The fundraiser runs from 11 AM until 9 PM.

Will you join us for a slice?

WHEN: Thursday, November 7, 2024 from11:00 AM 9:00 PM

WHERE: California Pizza Kitchen, 6910 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC, 27713

Autumn Adventures Auction: Rescheduled Dates Announced

10/15/2024 UPDATE: After being postponed, our Autumn Adventures Online Auction has been rescheduled! Bidding will take place entirely online from October 18th to 25th, with winners notified on October 26th.

We’ve curated an incredible selection of items and experiences, from family-friendly outings to the Greensboro Science Center, Museum of Life and Science, or a Durham Bulls Game, to unique handcrafted treasures from local artists and gift certificates to your favorite local shops and restaurants.

100% of the proceeds will benefit Piedmont Wildlife Center. These funds will support our education and conservation programs, as well as help offset recent unexpected expenses related to moving out of the cabin and into temporary solutions at Leigh Farm Park.

Auction Postponed: Let’s Help North Carolina Recover from Hurricane Helene

10/15/2024 UPDATE: After being postponed, our Autumn Adventures Online Auction has been rescheduled and will now run from October 18th through 25th.

10/1/2024 UPDATE: As our state faces the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, Piedmont Wildlife Center has decided to postpone our Autumn Adventures Auction. During this challenging time, we're pausing our fundraising efforts to focus on supporting North Carolina's mountain communities.

We’ll share updates about the auction in the coming weeks. For now, our priority is helping our state recover.

How can you help?

Donate:

• The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Contributions help with the unmet needs of Hurricane Helene victims.

• The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina's Emergency & Disaster Response Fund: This fund supports hurricane recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.

• MANNA FoodBank: This Asheville-based food bank is collecting and distributing food and water to impacted communities.

• Western North Carolina Nature Center: This beloved Nature Center needs financial support to rebuild.

Volunteer:

• Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: This Food Bank has branches in Raleigh, Durham, and surrounding areas. They need volunteers to help prepare food, water, and other essential supplies for shipment to impacted communities.

Contribute to Local Donation Drives:

• Businesses, churches, and organizations are collecting essential items like bottled water and menstrual products to send to those in need. If you need assistance identifying a drop-off location near you, please email admin@piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

Let's come together to support our neighbors in the North Carolina mountains in every way we can!

Sincerely,

The PWC Staff

September Update From Nick DiColandrea, Executive Director

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)