Press Room
With 16,000+ acres of land and more than 250,000 visitors annually, Bernheim is the place to connect with nature.
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New Rare Snail Discovered on Proposed Pipeline, Interstate Connector Routes
Bernheim researchers uncover Hidden Springsnail, known in only five other locations in the world Bernheim Arboretum … Read More »
Bernheim’s Children at Play Network Receives 2019 Program of Excellence Award
International award recognizes innovative program bringing outdoor free play to more children Bernheim’s Children at Play … Read More »
Family Fishing Days, National Trails Day kick off June at Bernheim
Grab a fishing pole and bring the whole family to Family Fishing Days at Bernheim on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. In … Read More »
Have Fe Fi Fo Fun at Bernheim this May
Fe Fi Fo FunFest, “Giant” runs and hikes, and wildflower walks are part of spring celebrations Spring has sprung and that … Read More »
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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.
Whitney Wurzel, Education
Whitney Wurzel, fondly known as “Ranger Whitney,” 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.
Casey Hammett, Landscape Supervisor
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 arboretum, 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, Visual Arts Coordinator
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.