Nicole Zehr – Founder
Nicole is a Charlottesville-based artist and landscape designer who has studied and worked with natural ecosystems and plant and animal communities for many years. She holds an MFA in Painting from Syracuse University and a Certificate in Horticulture from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She has completed residential and community landscape projects in New York City and Virginia and has experience applying for and completing grant-funded projects, such as with the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). She also has experience teaching, designing and managing data systems, managing projects, and a variety of administrative work with non-profits and educational organizations. She loves to hike, kayak, roller skate, draw, play the piano and travel and has spent time living in Italy. Nicole has been passionate about protecting insects and other wildlife since her first schoolyard fight with someone who wanted to squash them. Wild Space is the manifestation of her lifelong dreams to protect nature and create living spaces.
Julian Molitz – Strategy and Operations
Julian provides strategic vision and operational acumen, having worked to establish key systems and processes at Wild Space. This effort has built capacity in operations, education, project management, field research, communications, and other areas. Julian is also a Customer Success Manager at Explore Learning, with expertise in science and technology education, as well as educator professional development. Currently, Julian spends his free time roller skating with impeccable rhythm, strength training, baking pies with ease, and absorbing films and historical tomes, among a myriad of other artistic and intellectual pursuits. Julian grew up in Ottawa, Canada, lived in New York City for many years, and has created and cared for a large garden on 300 acres in southern Albemarle County. He is fascinated with birds and flight and cares deeply about the natural environment and Wild Space’s mission.
Kaila Pennock – Field Technician
Kaila’s work at Wild Space includes establishing and caring for ecologically rich plantings, surveying site flora and fauna, and researching and writing about relevant subjects.
Kaila grew up in Vermont where they spent a lot of time outside, gaining awe and appreciation for nature. They studied Food Sciences and Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont and taught classes on growing food and medicinal plants with the Vermont Community Garden Network. Kaila is active as a Piedmont Master Gardener and writes featured articles focusing on native plants, wildlife, and mycology. As a gardener and naturalist, they’ve built and supported wild spaces by identifying, conserving and propagating native plants. Day to day, they love to be in the woods and enjoy making music, art and medicine. They are passionate about the endlessly fascinating fungi, plants and other life they see while meandering through the forest, feeling interconnected with the natural world.
Reggie Yates – Site Technician
Reggie brings immense energy, expertise, warmth, and humor to all aspects of on-site work at Wild Space. He specializes in site preparation, plant installation and plant care, and invasive management
Reggie has a long history in land management, having cared for his family farm of 200 acres in central Virginia. He’s also worked as a framer. Reggie is an avid (and famous) roller skater who loves to share his passion with others and has taught many people in the area the craft and skill of skating.
