(4/24) The Strawberry Hill Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Kara Ferraro as their new Executive Director. In this role, she is responsible for strengthening the foundation’s programming, outreach and development initiatives. She replaces Chuck Reid, who has joined the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, New York, as the Director of Land Protection.

Kara holds a Bachelor of Science degree from York College of Pennsylvania where she majored in Recreation Administration and minored in Environmental Studies & Sustainability and Hospitality Marketing. Her passion for outdoor education grew during her time spent with the York County Department of Parks & Recreation.

Most recently, Kara served as the Director of Advocacy & Public Relations for the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County. In 2017, she became a Pennsylvania Forest Steward through Penn State’s Center for Private Forests. As a Fairfield local, Kara looks forward to connecting the community with the natural world by inspiring and promoting environmental stewardship.

"We are so grateful to Chuck for leading us in securing the vision of our founder, Frances Froelicher: to protect the Swamp Creek watershed and to establish a vibrant environmental education center. And we’re very excited to envision our future under Kara’s leadership," said Elizabeth Brantley, Strawberry Hill president.

"I moved to Adams County for my love of nature, and we established our home just up the road from Strawberry Hill. I am thrilled to bring that passion to this job," said Kara.

Strawberry Hill’s annual meeting was held on Saturday, April 21, at the refectory at the United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg. Members and friends of Strawberry Hill were invited to attend to honor Chuck Reid, welcome Kara Ferraro, and hear about Strawberry Hill’s accomplishments during the past year, and plans for the future.

One of the plans projected for the next year is the renovation and full enclosure of the pavilion at Strawberry Hill. If all goes as planned, the goal for this project is to be under contract with a construction company by this September, and hopefully begin construction by November, with completion by spring of next year.

The pavilion, as it currently stands, is in need of some serious renovation. The concept for the renovation is to enclose the back third of the pavilion for use year-round. This fully enclosed space will be able to hold a group of 25 people, so it can be used for classes and programs throughout the year. Additionally, the front two thirds of the pavilion will be enclosed in "an open barn style hall" which will allow the accommodation of larger groups. This front section will be available for three-season use: to host large educational programs in the spring and fall, and serve as the base of operations for the summer camp kids who participate in Strawberry Hill’s summer educational camp. Completing these renovations to the pavilion will allow this space to be used for a variety of other events including fundraisers and rentals for children’s parties, community meetings, and special events.

The pavilion project is estimated to cost upwards of $155,000 to complete. Strawberry Hill has already been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Adams County Parks, Recreation, & Green Space Grant Program and will continue to seek additional support. Two other grants will be submitted, including a $15,000 Robert C. Hoffman Trust grant or Adams County Community Foundation grant as well as a $75,000 Community Conservation and Partnership Program grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The completion of the project, once fully funded, will take approximately four to six months.