CAPE MAY — Just like the landscape surrounding the city changes with the time of the year, the Nature Center of Cape May has entered a new season.
Director Gretchen Whitman’s retirement left big shoes to fill, and Program Director Emily Reed has stepped into the position.
“Transitions are hard and we’re going through a time of change,” Reed said in an interview with the Star and Wave. “Right now, I’m focused on building a strong team, hiring for my replacement as program director and hiring our summer staff and interns.”
For Reed, having a strong staff surrounding her will make all the difference in her new position. The non-profit organization relies heavily on volunteers, which can be difficult for any non-profit group. Whitman plans to continue volunteering with the organization.
“We are super fortunate to have a great volunteer base, and they’ve been so supportive and encouraging,” Reed said. “It’s great to know they’ll be around.”
Community focus
Investing in community relationships is at the forefront of Reed’s mind as she considers what the Nature Center can offer the local community.
“I want to hear what the community wants out of the Nature Center and how we can best meet community needs,” she said. “If anyone has ideas for partnerships or collaborations, please come by and chat with me. I’d love to continue to build relationships with the community and have some input on the direction of the Nature Center’s future.”
Whitman, who retired in early January, has been Reed’s role model and mentor.
“When the program director position opened in 2021, she encouraged me to apply,” Reed said. “She always had in the back of her mind she would like to have someone to train, shadow under her, and leave the center in good hands. She’s been nothing but a fantastic mentor to me.”
Knowing Whitman’s retirement was looming, Reed said it gave her time to absorb knowledge from tips and tricks of Whitman’s 30-year career at the Nature Center.
“Gretchen didn’t go far and we have a great relationship,” Reed said. “As I’m learning the ropes, I don’t have to hesitate to call her with any questions.”
Reed began working full time for New Jersey Audubon in 2017, covering the state’s southern portion. She visited schools and libraries for outreach programs. Unsurprisingly, she ended up at the Nature Center, which became a part of the NJ Audubon in 1995.
Reed started as the program director in 2021 and created a wide range of programming and curriculum. She covered the whole spectrum of environmental education, from birds to marine science, beehives to pollinators. She also served as the camp director for eight weeks in the summer.
“I was responsible for delivering [programs] to school groups, children, families and adults,” she said. “Really, it’s for people of all ages and backgrounds. We do a wide range of programming [being] a part of New Jersey Audubon.”
Reed’s roots
Originally from Wisconsin, Reed studied conservation biology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
After graduating, Reed said many people take the track of seasonal field work positions, which allows them to visit different parts of the U.S. and get hands-on experience.
Emily Reed, who took the reins of the Nature Center of Cape May in January after former director Gretchen Whitman retired, enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. Above she visits Arizona.
“It allows you to get a handle on what you like and don’t like,” she said.
One of the seasonal positions Reed took was as an interpretive naturalist on the Hawk Watch, which the Cape May Bird Observatory runs every fall.
Reed spent several falls in Cape May Point before returning to graduate school at the University of Minnesota to study environmental education. When she finished her master’s degree, she returned to New Jersey for a full-time position with NJ Audubon.
“While I was here seasonally, I met my now-husband [Tom], who is from this area originally,” Reed said. “It worked out for us to come back here when I finished up grad school. He works for NJ Audubon as well, doing bird research for the Cape May Bird Observatory.”
Because Reed and her husband are in the same field, there are opportunities to collaborate.
“I’m more focused on the educational side of things, and he’s focused on the research side. So, it’s cool when we can bring our knowledge and talents together and create a holistic approach and understanding to conservation.”
On what she’s looking forward to in the role, Reed said she anticipates building more personal relationships within the community and collaborating with other non-profits.
“I get to lead our biggest annual fundraiser, the Catch of Cape May,” she said. “It’s a big summer event where we have live music, auction items, food and drinks. That will be a new aspect in this role.”
Reed is also excited about the Nature Center’s native plant sale in May.
“That’s also my responsibility now, and it’s a super-exciting event,” she said. “We’ve just put in our initial order, so we’ve got all kinds of awesome native plants that will be here for people to purchase.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave