THE TEAM
Protecting Our Little Corner of the Southern Blue Ridge
Michael Wall, Ph.D., Executive Director
Dr. Wall, a distinguished leader in his field of environmental conservation and education, has been at the San Diego (CA) Natural History Museum for more than 16 years and is currently Vice President of Science and Conservation. He joins the Trust as an accomplished executive leader, scientist, educator, committed conservationist, environmental steward, effective fundraiser, collaborator, and creative thinker. Describing his work ethic, Wall said, “My first and unending love is teaching about the wonders of nature. Even in my career as a scientist, I’ve always leaned more into science communication than research…to not just tell people about nature, but to give them gateways to experience it. In short, my mission is to deepen community involvement in the science and practice of conservation.”
Rachael Hart, Wildlife Caretaker/Naturalist
Rachael is the caretaker of our animal ambassadors and naturalist for the Trust. She graduated from HCC with a degree in Wildlife Management and certification in Forest Management Technology. She has been at the Trust since 2021 and feels passionately about the care and lives of the animal ambassadors here. She grew up with an immense passion for animals and the outdoors. Haywood gave Rachael a comprehensive and hands-on education by providing ample opportunities to work with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other similar organizations. She spent 2 years at Cape Fear Raptor Center where she volunteered her time rehabilitating and releasing birds of prey and worked with a local wildlife rehabber. Rachael continues to love anything wildlife-related and enjoys being hands-on to help our environment in any way she can.
Amy Duggins, Community Science Coordinator
Amy grew up sloshing through creeks and climbing trees in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and has been head over heels in love with nature for as long as she can remember. She completed her studies at Colorado College and the University of the South and worked as a park ranger and interpretive naturalist with Colorado and North Carolina State Parks, a field biologist in the Gila National Forest, and an environmental educator before joining the team at Balsam Mountain Trust in 2023. Amy facilitates scientific research and conservation projects on the Preserve and loves helping humans get to know their wild neighbors.
Gina Patton, AmeriCorps Service Member/ Education Outreach
Gina recently completed her master’s degree at The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in Environmental Education and Interpretation. She promptly moved to North Carolina and is loving exploring all the radiant beings of her new biome. She is also a writer, artist, and naturalist who incorporates art, nature connection, and childlike wonder into the programs she leads.
Gina is serving with AmeriCorps, an eleven-month national service program with positions offered by community and non-profit organizations. CTNC manages an AmeriCorps program that has placed 18 members with conservation and environmental groups throughout North Carolina. The program’s goals are to connect thousands of people to the outdoors and to develop future leaders in conservation. Learn more about CTNC’s AmeriCorps program.
Kim Jacobs, Administrator
Kim Jacobs and her husband, Mike, retired early from Aerospace in 2022. Kim was an Executive Admin for a very large Flight Test organization for over 20 years. She moved from Lancaster, CA to Balsam, NC to be near family. She enjoys having a few acres to watch all the local wildlife in her own backyard – birds, squirrels, turkeys, deer, a bobcat, and even bears. Kim feels so very happy to have moved to this gorgeous state and has even taken up hiking as her new hobby to be able to see even more of its natural beauty! We are fortunate to have Kim with her administrative experience to facilitate all things Trust-related.