About Us
A Lifelong Passion Project
Coastal Wilds is a ZAA-accredited zoological park where unforgettable wildlife encounters meet real-world conservation. Home to over 40 species - from playful otters to curious kangaroos to gentle sloths - our mission is to create meaningful connections between people and animals through immersive, educational experiences that inspire a passion for wildlife conservation.
Visitors to Coastal Wilds can look forward to hands-on, up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors, creating memorable moments while our knowledgeable educators share insights about each species. We aim not only to showcase the beauty of these incredible creatures, but also to instill a sense of responsibility and empowerment in our guests to make a positive impact on the environment.
Over the years, our park has evolved and grown. From our beginnings as Barn Hill Preserve Delaware, offering Mobile Education experiences, to our current role as a ZAA-accredited zoological park under the name Coastal Wilds, we proudly carry forward a legacy of wildlife education and care - guided by a continued commitment to conservation, community, and the animals who call our park home.
Meet The Crew
One comment we get very often is how our animals seem very happy, and our caretakers play a big part in that happiness.
Most, if not all of our animal caretakers have previous zoo experience or have formal education & training through a bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience.
Josh
Owner
2012
Josh is a graduate from Louisiana State University with a degree in Wildlife Ecology. He grew up in the small town of Bethany Beach on the eastern shores of Delaware. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 18 and was active until moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He worked under Dr. Mike Metzier as a Veterinarian Technician for four years where his love for animals took root. Josh’s love and understanding of wildlife continues to grow while working at Coastal Wilds.
Rachel
Manager of Education & Operations
November 2018
Rachel graduated from Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania with a BS in Biology. She dreamed of being a teacher since her first day of preschool and developed a love of animals and the outdoors throughout the years. A Boy Scout summer camp gave her an opportunity to combine these passions in their Ecology-Conservation Area, and this led to similar jobs with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Rachel's position at Coastal Wilds combines everything she loves (wildlife, teaching, and traveling) and gives her an opportunity to educate, inspire, and bring joy to people of all ages.
Sam
Manager of Animal Care
November 2018
Samantha has a BS in wildlife conservation and ecology from the University of Delaware. Since graduating, she has worked various jobs in the field of wildlife conservation, including performing bat population surveys in West Virginia and completing internships at wildlife rehabilitation centers and state parks.
She has loved animals since an early age and that love was inspired by watching many educational shows and videos about wildlife. Working at Coastal Wilds (Barn Hill Preserve) first as a mobile educator, and now as the animal care manager has been an amazing opportunity for Samantha because she can inspire a new generation of kids to love and respect wildlife and their habitat. (And having tons of cute, furry animal children is just an added bonus!!!)
Eddie
Lead Reptile Keeper
May 2024
Eddie graduated from West Liberty University in West Virginia with a BS in Zoo Science & Applied Conservation. He has had a passion for animals ever since he was a child and always new that one day he wanted to be a zookeeper. He believes that zoos play an important role in spreading awareness about the importance of conservation and instilling a love of animals in everyone.
Eddie has always had a soft spot for the more stigmatized animals such as snakes and spiders. His goal is to show people how amazing and misunderstood these animals can be and how important they are to the ecosystem. In his free time, Eddie likes to take care of his personal collection of snakes and tarantulas.
Julian
Keeper
February 2026
TBD
Madeline
Keeper
June 2026
Madeline holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology, as well as an A.S. in Environmental Science. As part of her education, Madeline spent time at the Taylor Wilderness Research Station in Idaho, where she gained hands-on experience in a remote field setting and deepened her appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
Madeline’s passion for animal care began through 4-H and continued to grow through internships at two wildlife rehabilitation centers and volunteer work with animal shelters. Inspired by Steve Irwin from a young age, she developed a strong interest in wildlife conservation and education.
At Coastal Wilds, Madeline especially enjoys working with hoofstock and birds. She is passionate about animal training as a form of enrichment and stimulation, as well as a way to create meaningful experiences for guests. Madeline hopes visitors leave Coastal Wilds with a greater understanding of the important role zoos and wildlife facilities play in conservation.
Outside of work, Madeline enjoys hiking and fishing.
Vienna
Outreach Manager
June 2023
Vienna’s journey as Outreach Manager at Coastal Wilds has been a lifelong dream come true. In elementary school, her idol was Jane Goodall, and she aspired to follow in her footsteps. This childhood aspiration led to her earning a B. S. in Zoology with a minor in Animal Behavior from the University of New Hampshire. As she progressed through college, she discovered her true passion lies in sharing her love for animals with others.
Vienna feels incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to educate people about our fascinating creatures in various settings. Whether it's presenting at schools, leading tours, or even swimming with the otters, she is dedicated to spreading awareness about the importance of conservation. It brings her immense joy to see others become more caring and conscious of the world around us, just as she is.
Vienna typically spends her free time with her friends and family, playing guitar, or falling down research rabbit holes.
Michael
Lead Educator
October 2023
TBD
Kaleigh
Educator
June 2025
Kaleigh graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries and a minor in Biology. She has always known she wanted to work with animals from a young age. Animal Planet was constantly playing in her home, and her family encouraged her love for animals. Growing up, she cared for chickens, ducks, and goats alongside her grandmother. While she initially dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, her passion gradually shifted toward wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
For now, Kaleigh believes that learning about animals and educating others is an important step toward inspiring greater care for wildlife conservation.
A Delaware native, Kaleigh enjoys spending her free time with family, visiting the beach to swim and soak up the sun, and reading lots of new books.
Sarah
Educator
May 2025
TBD
Cianna
Educator
August 2025
TBD
Katie
Educator
January 2026
Meet Katie, a passionate animal educator whose love for the fascinating world of animals has driven her to become a dedicated animal advocate. Born and raised in a small town surrounded by nature, Katie's childhood was marked by countless adventures exploring the nearby wetlands and forests, where her fascination with animals first took root.
From an early age, Katie exhibited a natural curiosity about the diverse array of creatures that inhabit the Earth, influenced by the likes of Steve Irwin. This curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion, leading her to pursue a career at Coastal Wilds. Driven by a desire to share her knowledge and foster a love for wildlife in others, Katie took up the role of an animal educator. Armed with her infectious enthusiasm and a wealth of information about animals, she embarked on a mission to educate people of all ages about the importance of wildlife. Katie is not just an animal educator; she is a devoted champion for frogs, working tirelessly to inspire others to appreciate and protect these remarkable creatures for generations to come.
In her free time, Katie can be found at home watching tv shows, movies, and documentaries as well as playing video games.
Ashlyn
Administrative Assistant
November 2018
Ashlyn graduated from Sussex Central High school in 2012, with animal science as her pathway. She handles all the office duties including, but not limited to: phone calls, emails and even booking schools programs.
Ashlyn was raised in Sussex County, and currently lives in Laurel, DE. Where she raises her 4 children, who LOVE visiting Coastal Wilds because “it’s the coolest job ever!” Ashlyn has always had a soft spot for animals. In her spare time, she enjoys football, racing, and spending her time with family.
Zach
Brand Manager
May 2022
Zach has worked in various creative fields: Animation, Graphic Design, Photography, Video and Motion Graphics, Video Game Production, Web and Print Media, and more all over the country. He is always informed on the latest creative, tech, and entertainment trends.
Zach is a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in Computer Animation and a graduate of Animation Mentor with a certified diploma of “Advanced Studies in Character Animation.” He's passionate about film and video games and enjoys spending time with his family, especially his three boys who love building legos and creating imaginative games.
Our Conservation Efforts
Many of our staff members take regular trips around the world to assist in emergency conservation efforts. For example, during the Australian wildfires, our team searched via drones for animals that survived the blaze.
Many of our event proceeds go towards our rescue, rehabilitation, release, and restoration projects! In addition to protecting and serving wildlife in danger, we also want to create a more direct connection between people and the wild animals they care about.
KSTR Wildlife Rescue
KSTR Wildlife Rescue is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary with over 50 species where guests can learn about wildlife native to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. All proceeds go towards our rescue, rehabilitation, release, and restoration projects!
KSTR is a US 501(c)3 Organization with a number of projects worth donating to such as: wildlife bridges for 22 species located in Costa Rica, protection of Sea Turtle eggs from poachers or upgrading equipment in the wildlife clinic like a new ambulance to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of indigenous wildlife across Costa Rica.
