- Carole Bartoo
- Donnie Bryan
- Richard Hitt
- Rose Naeser
- Patty Petrous
- Paul Prill
- Kristin Bailey Wilson
Carole Bartoo’s first career was in journalism (mostly broadcast and some print) and she continues to write articles periodically. Her “second career” was in the news, communications and public relations business for Vanderbilt Hospital: magazine/newsletters, social media and media relations. She is now in her “third career” as a geriatric nurse practitioner. Carole has been a Wild Ones member since 2020 when she first read Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy. The group turned out to be the perfect landing spot for her passion to DO something to support local habitats and biodiversity.
Donnie Bryan is a retired high school theater and visual arts teacher of thirty-seven years. He served as the Visual and Performing Arts Director of the prestigious Ensworth High School. Upon retiring, Donnie joined Wild Ones and built a native garden and wildlife sanctuary recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. He is a member of the Tennessee Native Plant Society and his native garden was featured on an episode of the PBS show Volunteer Gardener. Donnie grows many native plants from seed which he shares with other native gardeners, Wild Ones plant sales, and back to the ecosystem. Donnie is a world traveler and continues to explore the world. He is a returning board member who has served as chapter Vice President.
Richard Hitt is a retired university professor. Since becoming a certified Tennessee Naturalist in 2013, he enjoys leading interpretive hikes, growing native plants from seed, giving presentations touting the benefits of native plants, doing volunteer native plant gardening, and removing invasive plants. He is a returning board member and is the founding chapter president.
Rose Naeser is a retired nurse practitioner. She has been a member of Wild Ones since 2022. She completed the Master Gardener program of Williamson County in 2010. Rose has been a member of the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee for many years. She is a Director at Large for PPS and is in charge of plant cards for the annual PPS plant sale. Rose and her husband have 2 grown sons and a grandson who live in Tennessee. Other hobbies include quilting, sailing and incorporating native plants into her existing garden.
Patricia (Patty) Petrous is a retired (2016) Corporate Controller (MEDHOST, Inc) having spent 35 years in the Nashville healthcare arena. After building a new home in Mt. Juliet (2017) she, along with husband, Mike, completed the Wilson County Master Gardener program (2019) and regularly volunteer at Cedars of Lebanon Butterfly Garden and other volunteer programs in the middle Tennessee area. A Wild Ones member since 2019, Patty has served as the Treasurer of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Wild Ones (2020). She has 5 grandchildren that live in Nashville. Her other hobbies and passions include gardening, crocheting, traveling, scuba diving and cooking/baking. Patricia is a returning board member who has served as Treasurer.
Paul Prill is a retired university professor. In 2020, he completed the requirements to become a Master Gardener of Davidson County. He holds a Certificate in Native Plants from the program sponsored by the Tennessee Native Plant Society and administered by the Tennessee Valley chapter of Wild Ones, and he is a certified Tennessee Naturalist. He is very interested in building partnerships with other organizations dealing with permaculture and gardening of all types. Paul is a returning board member who has served as Secretary.
Kristin Bailey Wilson is all in the native plant world. It started four years ago with a cucumber plant and mosquito spray. Since then she replaced most of the non-native plants in her yard; she started growing native plants from seed; she read native plant books, blogs, and brochures; she listened to every webinar and online training she could find; she joined Wild Ones and the Kentucky Native Plant Society; and she took the Kentucky Master Gardeners class. She’s currently enrolled in the Tennessee Naturalist Program. Kristin is also an amateur photographer. She combines photography and hiking to learn about native plants. Oh, yes, and Kristin is married with two grown children and is a retired professor.