Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

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Press Room

Press Room

With 16,000+ acres of land and more than 400,000 visitors annually, Bernheim is the place to connect with nature.

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For press inquiries, please email us at media@bernheim.org.

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Need a Quote? We can help For quotes from any of the below staff, email us at media@bernheim.org.

Mark Wourms, Executive Director
Mark Wourms, PhD, is the Executive Director of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. He is a lifelong “tree-hugger” both literally and metaphorically.

Kristin Faurest, Education
Kristin Faurest is the Bernheim Education Director and is instrumental in planning Bernheim’s informative, fun and varied nature-based education programs.

Claude Stephens, Outreach & Regenerative Design
Claude Stephens is the Children at Play Network Director and is also Bernheim’s Facilitator of Outreach and Regenerative Design. He is a free play champion, is piloting the region’s first Forest Kindergarten, and spearheaded the creation of Bernheim’s Edible Garden, an applicant to the Living Building Challenge.

Andrew Berry, Natural Areas Andrew Berry is Bernheim's Director of Conservation, overseeing environmental stewardship and land conservation efforts of Bernheim’s 15,000-acre natural area. From controlled burns to stream restoration to invasive species removal, Andrew oversees best practices in land protection. Andrew works closely with researchers worldwide who are seeking a healthy, large forest block for their studies of the biologically diverse.

Wren Smith, Interpretive Programs Manager
Wren Smith is Bernheim’s Interpretive Programs Manager. A Kentucky Naturalist of the Year recipient, she helps visitors immerse themselves in nature, creates faeries out of natural materials, and trains volunteers in the nationally-recognized Volunteer Naturalist Program.

Renee Frith, Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes
Renee Frith is responsible for leading our horticulture team, as they care for the arboretum landscapes and support programs beyond our borders, such as our Green Roofs program.

Casey Hammett, Edible Garden Steward
Casey Hammett has served as a Bernheim horticulturist since June of 2010. Casey is an ISA Certified Arborist and a Kentucky Certified Nurseryman. In addition to maintaining the Edible Garden Casey also teaches classes, leads tours, and collaborates with the community on beautification projects. Casey is originally from South Carolina, where he operated his own landscape business and graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Jenny Zeller, Arts in Nature Curator
Jenny Zeller is responsible for leading the prestigious Artist-in-Residence Program, which she graduated from herself in spring of 2017. Jenny also promotes multi-disciplinary explorations of the relationship with the natural environment through other Arts in Nature programs, such as temporary and permanent sculpture projects and recurring events at Bernheim.

Renee Hutchison, Director of Visitor Experience
Renee Hutchison is responsible for leading our Visitor Services, Operations, and Ranger teams to ensure all visitors have the best possible experience while at Bernheim.

Melissa Raley, Director of Advancement
Melissa Raley works with the staff and community to build the resources for Bernheim to continue to fulfill its mission and vision.