Cumberland, OH — The Wilds is pleased to receive a $48,000 gift from the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation to enhance the conservation park’s newest lodging accommodations, The Wilds’ Cabins at Straker Lake, with a tranquil walking path.
With the addition of this gift from the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation, construction will begin on a new walking path that will enrich the facilities and allow visitors to connect with nature and wildlife in new ways during their stay at The Wilds.
“Our foundation is proud to continue our support of The Wilds and the Straker Lake area,” said Susan Straker Holdren, J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation president. “The new trail will highlight southeast Ohio’s beauty and provide a place for reflection, exercise and connection.”
In addition to the foundation’s support of The Wilds’ Cabins at Straker Lake, the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation also provided scholarships for six Muskingum County students to help them attend educational day camps at The Wilds this summer.
“We are immensely grateful for the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation’s continued support of our facilities,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, vice president of The Wilds. “Their commitment to not only conservation and wildlife, but also to their local community, is truly admirable and we deeply value our partnership with the foundation, as well as with the Straker family.”
The Wilds’ Cabins at Straker Lake opened last spring and were made possible through a $2.25 million gift from J.W. (Bill) and Mary Helen Straker. The gift was the single largest private donation and the family’s second significant donation to The Wilds. Mr. and Mrs. Straker also generously helped fund the first veterinary clinic at the conservation center.
The cabins were constructed to establish the Midwest’s first host site for Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs. The intensive peer-based program is designed to assist both men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces or as first responders in overcoming challenges that stem from daily life, combat deployments and post-traumatic stress (PTS), which can all take a toll on these individuals and their families.
The participation in this program at The Wilds’ facilities was inspired by the vision and commitment of World War II veteran and Zanesville resident, J.W. (Bill) Straker to give back to those who have served.
The Wilds’ Cabins at Straker Lake include seven cabins (each with three bedrooms, a kitchenette, small living room and two bathrooms) and a centrally-located lodge with a classroom/multi-purpose room and commercial kitchen, providing a relaxing space for program participants to heal the life-threatening psychological wounds that many of them face upon returning home from combat. When the retreat center is not in use by Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs participants, the site is available to visitors participating in conservation and education programs at The Wilds.
For more information about The Wilds or to book your visit, please visit TheWilds.org.
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About The Wilds
The Wilds, one of the largest conservation centers in North America, is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world along with hundreds of indigenous species. The mission of The Wilds, a nonprofit organization managed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through September, and on Saturdays and Sundays in October. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.
