Every year in spring, the property of the in-laws of new Maywood Park Director, Samantha Lammers, is overflown by the Onion River. When the flooding occurs they get some “monster” Northerns coming up for their spawning season. When they get caught up in the shallow water the family snatches them up and brings them downstream to a deeper part of the creek on the property. – Submitted photo

The Trust of Maywood is pleased to announce the hiring of Samantha Lammers as Park Director. She began training with current Park Director, David Kuckuk on April 1. Kuckuk will be retiring on April 30 after 30 years of overseeing the park and its operations.

Samantha brings experience of working in the Wisconsin DNR where she was a Natural Resource Specialist and a Deputy Conservation Warden for five years.

She has extensive training in aquatic invasive species programming and led the Water Guard team that oversaw education and enforcement of invasive species throughout the state. She trained and supported 12 Water Guards (Wardens) across the state and DNR Wardens on invasive species identification, education, and enforcement tactics as well as performed Conservation Warden duties at a statewide level.

In 2019 Samantha made the shift to the education and outreach realm when she became the aquatic invasive species (AIS) coordinator for Sheboygan and Manitowoc Counties.

In this role she performed education, outreach, surveying, mapping, and control planning of aquatic invasive species as well as supported third parties in grant writing and control efforts.

Since then Samantha has also been the AIS Coordinator for Washington and Waukesha counties, where she expanded her range of knowledge and skills.             

“I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to be your next Park Director and I am looking forward to the partnerships and prospects that this role has to offer. I hope to meet you all soon and am excited for what awaits!” said Lammers.

Samantha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science- Criminal Justice from Lakeshore Technical College, completing a 520-hour Police Academy as part of her degree.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys time in the outdoors, spending quality time with her husband and family, and teaching yoga at the studio she owns.

Ellwood H. May Environmental Park, commonly known as Maywood, is committed to its mission of fostering environmental stewardship through educational and outdoor programs designed to connect our community with the natural world.

Sheboygan’s largest city-owned park includes an ecology center, hiking and cross-country ski trails, wildlife viewing areas, an arboretum, a hummingbird garden, rain garden, and the Generational Forest.

The park and its trails are open to the public year-round, free of charge.

The park also offers programs for schools and the public, summer camps, aquatic studies and water monitoring, astronomy observation, bicycle tours, guided walks and canoe outings, a hands-on environmental lab, nature crafts, and outdoor workshops. Y-koda Nature School at Maywood, a 4K Sheboygan Area School District preschool option, is located in the park.

Support for Maywood comes from the City of Sheboygan, public grants, and The Environmental Park Trust of Sheboygan County through voluntary donations, bequests and annual fund drives.