Wylde Center – the organization known for its five greenspaces, environmental education, and connecting communities to nature – has a new executive director.
Dr. Jennifer Gerndt joined the nonprofit in January when Stephanie Van Parrys retired after 18 years as executive director. Gerndt inherited a $2.8 million capital fundraising campaign, which is about to be put to use at the main Oakhurst campus of Wylde Center.
Beginning April 1, the Oakhurst campus will be partially closed as major renovations begin on the headquarters building and to the property itself.
Gerndt said new rain gardens and drainage would be added, but the biggest part of the project is making the building ADA-compliant and adding a 30-student classroom. While the plant market, composting and other parts of the garden will remain open, there will be limits and field trips are on hold. The work is expected to take eight months.
In the meantime, Gerndt said to expect more activation at the other gardens that make up the Wylde Center. She said many visitors to the Oakhurst garden, a staple in the Decatur neighborhood for 27 years, don’t realize there are four other unique properties to explore: the nearby Hawk Hollow, Edgewood Community Learning Garden, Sugar Creek Garden in Decatur, and Mulberry Fields in Candler Park.
“We hope people will take the time to explore these other gardens,” Gerndt said. “Each one has its own identity, and we’re hoping to host more events at those gardens.”
Gerndt said one of the biggest – and happiest – surprises on joining the Wylde Center is how each of the communities is invested in their own garden.
“I’ve heard so many stories from parents who were brought to the Oakhurst garden when they were kids and are now bringing their own,” she said. “It’s incredibly exciting to see how communities have embraced the gardens.”
Gerndt brings with her 12 years of nonprofit leadership with almost three years as the executive director of the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta where she rejuvenated the language program and expanded cultural offerings, including the genesis of the now annual arts festival, Frühlingsfest, in Avondale Estates.
Most recently, Gerndt served as director of member services at the International Society of Arboriculture where she grew the membership and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders.
Holding a Ph.D. from Purdue University in German Linguistics, Gerndt has more than 20 years of experience working in education. Three years ago, she became a certified docent with Trees Atlanta and gives tours on the Atlanta BeltLine in her free time.
She said her love of nature actually began with her love of animals.
“My gateway into loving nature was my love for animals. Whenever I travel, I need to see what the native wildlife looks like. When you care about animals and their habitats, you care about the native plants and you see how everything is connected. That originated from childhood.”
Since part of Wylde Center’s mission is to teach people how to grow food, Gerndt’s other interest has also come into play.
“After moving to Atlanta, I began to really understand food deserts and food insecurity,” she said. “Where I live in East Atlanta is on the edge of a food desert, so that has become something I’m eager to address at Wylde Center.”
Gerndt said her history with leadership and consulting in the nonprofit world made her transitions to Wylde Center easier.
“Nonprofits are very similar; they have similar stressors and problems to navigate,” she said. “Teh capital campaign adds an extra level of challenge, but I’m ready for the challenge.”
Gerndt described Wylde Center’s next chapter as “very exciting,” and she’s eager to grow the number of people the nonprofit reaches and provides services to in the community.
“The result of the changes will be more opportunities for the communities to engage with nature, learn about ways to help our environment, and grow their own gardens. I am so happy to come on board at this time in the organization’s history and be a part of this incredible step forward.”