Governance
Developing a Wilds Cooperative Leadership Team to ensure members are guiding the future of the network
In 2024, PA Wilds Center launched a process to establish an evolved governance structure for the PA Wilds Cooperative and to evaluate how to better leverage partner strengths to help businesses in the network thrive.
The consultants who engaged members throughout late 2024 and early 2025 have shared recommendations in a formal Governance Plan based on the invaluable feedback members provided through meetings, interviews and surveys. The resulting governance plan sets the stage for elevating WCO members to leadership roles, strengthening feedback loops between members and the PA Wilds Center, and prioritizing most-valued benefits for members.
Between September and December 2025, PA Wilds Center conducted a series of outreach sessions to share an update on the recommendations for establishing a governance structure based on member feedback.
WCO Governance Plan Update Sessions
Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds Landscape
September 23, 4-6 PM
Kellettville Campground
(Forest County)
Pine Creek Valley & the PA Grand Canyon Landscape
September 30, 5-7 PM
Deane Center
(Tioga County)
Dark Skies
Landscape
October 20, 5-7 PM
Denton Go
(Potter County)
Cook Forest & the Ancients Landscape
October 27, 5-7 PM
Lost in the Wilds Brewing
(Clarion County)
Elk Country
Landscape
November 11, 5-7 PM
Cameron County Chamber
(Cameron County)
Virtual Meeting
via Zoom
December 2, 5-7 PM
(All members welcome! Meeting will be recorded and posted on this landing page.)
I-80 Frontier
Landscape
November 18, 5-7 PM
Bellefonte SpringBoard
(Centre County)
Check out the video below to watch a the portion of the presentation from December 2 that details the governance plan and next steps.
Ready to read the WCO Governance Plan?
The PA Wilds Governance Plan report is now available for review!
We invite you to read the 89 pages of the report detailing the process, findings and recommendations for developing a WCO leadership structure and formal feedback loop.
Join us during one of the outreach sessions posted above, and the PA Wilds Center staff will provide an overview and an outline of the strategy to tackle the plan moving forward!
Questions? Contact us at Wi*******@***********er.org.
Learn About The Governance Planning Process
Simply click one of the icons below to jump ahead to that section.
Goals + Outcomes
Process Overview
Activities + Updates
Meet the Consultants
GOALS + OUTCOMES
The goal of this research and planning process is to attain recommendations for what an evolved governance structure for the Wilds Cooperative (WCO) could look like, and how it could operate to achieve these objectives:
- Help PA Wilds Center better serve this growing network
- Better leverage partner strengths to serve this growing network
- Help rural businesses in the WCO program thrive
WHY NOW?
By helping to establish stronger partner input and feedback loops, referral processes, and social impact investment approaches, the consultant will deepen our partner networks at a critical growth stage and contribute to the evolution of what the governance structure of one of the PA Wilds Center’s largest core stakeholder groups could look like to support transformational work.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS
OUTREACH & DATA COLLECTION
Consultants will conduct online surveys, virtual interviews, and in-person meetings with Wilds Cooperative of PA members and core stakeholders to gather confidential feedback on how the network supports their needs and how they can be engaged and supported better.
EVALUATE & DEFINE
Based on the evaluation of outreach, data collection, and research, Consultants will define what an evolved WCO governance structure could look like and make recommendations for how it could function and how to better engage stakeholders.
RECOMMENDATIONS & OUTCOMES
Consultants will provide a Governance Plan for The Wilds Cooperative of PA that addresses the project goals (above), details data collected, provides an action plan for implementation and performance measurements, and offers recommendations for tools or resources needed.
MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT
Community outreach sessions were held in every county of the region, in addition to a virtual group sessions, 1:1 interviews, and surveys. Check out the photos below from some of the outreach events!
PHOTOS FROM RECENT OUTREACH
Elk County
October 17, 6-8 PM
Maker’s Warehouse, 315 Brusselles St., Saint Marys, PA
Warren County
October 19, 12-2 PM
Bent Run Brewing Co., 20 Clark St, Suite B, Warren, PA
Potter County
November 15, 1-3 PM
PA Lumber Museum, 5660 US Route 6 West, Ulysses Township, PA
Centre County
November 21, 10 AM – 12 PM
SpringBoard, 221 W. High St., Suite 1300, Bellefonte, PA
Clarion County
November 22, 5:30-7:30 PM
Phrame It, 1 N. Sixth Avenue,
Clarion, PA
Virtual Group Session
December 5, 7:30-9:30 PM
Via Zoom
for WCO members and stakeholders unable to attend previous events
Forest County
October 18, 3-5 PM
PA Wilds Conservation Shop, 105 S. Forest St., Marienville, PA
Virtual
October 24, 2-4 PM
Via Zoom
for Nonprofit Partners
Cameron County
November 16, 10 AM – 12 PM
Cameron County Artisan Center, 24 West Fourth St., Emporium, PA
Clinton County
November 21, 3-5 PM
The Station Gallery, 2 E. Bald Eagle St., Lock Haven, PA
Clearfield County
November 23, 11 AM – 1 PM
Clearfield Arts Studio Theater, 112 E. Locust St., Clearfield, PA
Online Survey
Via Google Forms
take just 10 minutes to complete the Wildly Cooperative Survey & get a $10 gift card
McKean County
October 18, 7-9 PM
Wilds Sonshine Factory, 3480 Route 6 West, Kane, PA
Tioga County
November 14, 6-8 PM
Deane Deane Center for Performing Arts, 104 Main St., Wellsboro, PA
Lycoming County
November 20, 5-7 PM
Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Avenue, Williamsport, PA
Jefferson County
November 22, 1-3 PM
Gobbler’s Knob, 1548 Woodland Avenue Extension, Punxsutawney, PA
Virtual Group Session
December 2, 11 AM – 12 PM
Via Zoom
for government and nonprofit partners unable to attend previous events
1:1 Interviews
Via Phone
Schedule a 45-minute interview with a consultant to share deeper insights & get a $20 gift card
‘WILDLY COOPERATIVE’ ON WCO BLOG
MEET THE OUTREACH TEAM
The Wildly Cooperative Outreach Team is a group of WCO members who stepped up to help support outreach and promotion activities related to this project. They also provided early insights and feedback.
Donell Ayers
Frosty Hollow Bed & Breakfast
Landscape: Dark Skies | County: Potter
Peggy Butler
Kellettville Firefly Farm
Landscape: Cook Forest & the Ancients | County: Forest
Rachel Courtney
Sugar Mama's Appalachian Maple
Landscape: Pine Creek Valley & the PA Grand Canyon | County: Tioga
Tara Heckler
Blackberry & Sage Market
Landscape: I-80 Frontier | County: Jefferson
Karen Heltzel
Moments In Time Studio
Landscape: Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds | County: Warren
Julie Mader
Artwork by Julie Mader
Landscapes: Dark Skies + Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds | County: McKean
Melanie Phillips
Village Eatinghouse
Landscape: Elk Country | County: Centre
MEET THE CONSULTANTS
To set this process up for success and ensure that members felt free to share candid feedback about the network and their goals for membership, we partnered with some great third party consultants, chosen through a competitive bid process, to conduct stakeholder engagement and develop the WCO Governance Plan based on that feedback.
Jenny Totten
Co-Founder and Co-Director, Alchemy Accompanied
Jenny has over 15 years of experience in rural community and economic development, focusing on Appalachia and Haiti’s Central Plateau. She directs Alchemy, Accompanied, and is the Strategy and Impact Manager for Future Generations University. Jenny is trained in the accompaniment model of development and has worked with federal and state leaders,
local community leaders, and small business owners. She holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering and an MS in Unmanned Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and teaches at Future Generations University.
Spencer Moss
Co-Founder and Co-Director, Alchemy Accompanied
Spencer brings extensive multi-media communications, facilitation, and leadership experience, serving as the executive director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition for 10 years. She has collaborated with nonprofits, extension services, universities, state and federal government to develop programs and communicate stories of community and change. She holds a BS in Communications from Missouri Western State University and a Masters in Public Administration from West Virginia University, with an emphasis in Local Governance and Community Development.
Marc Wilken
Economic Recovery Corps Fellow + Independent Consultant, MW Impact
Hailing from the Philadelphia area, Marc is excited to deploy his program development background to create vibrant communities through the outdoors. Marc has 14+ years of experience in launching, managing, and growing new initiatives and programs; building and sustaining public-private partnerships and community relationships; and philanthropic fundraising and generating new revenue. As a nature enthusiast and environmental advocate, he hopes to see the natural assets of the PA Wilds region help build more resilient ecosystems that can flourish.
The Declaration of Principles for the PA Wilds Team
The Declaration of Principles for the PA Wilds Team is a document that provides a heartfelt look at the guiding values of the regional strategy. The document was initiated nearly 20 years ago, and the words still ring true today! The outlined principles are central to the work and provide a unique lens through which members and consultants can look at the region and this effort to help sustain it.
Learn More: Wilds Cooperative of PA
Together, members of the Wilds Cooperative of PA are addressing PA Wilds market demands by connecting and scaling the unique establishments and producers that are central to our place-based tourism development. As we help people find #pawildsmade products, services and experiences, our businesses and communities grow and thrive.
READY TO EXPLORE MORE?
ABOUT US
Learn more about the WCO, our place-based network of creative entrepreneurs and organizations.
BENEFITS
Take advantage of opportunities to leverage the PA Wilds brand and grow your business.
DIRECTORY
Find other businesses and nonprofits in the WCO that you can partner with to grow in the PA Wilds.