About

Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study of its three public gardens. Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is rich in Southern horticulture and a habitat for birds and wildlife. The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is the site of a world-renowned garden writer’s living laboratory. The Student Environmental Education and Discovery (SEED) Wildlife & Children’s Garden provides hands-on exploratory learning and a natural habitat for local wildlife. Together, these gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn. Wing Haven also offers more than 40 programs and special events each year.

Click on the image below to learn more about each garden of Wing Haven.

Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden

Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary

SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden

Vision Statement

To inspire passion for the natural world

Mission Statement

Cultivating sanctuary in nature, environmental stewardship, and the legacy of Southern horticulture


Staff:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barrett Ranson Shannonhouse
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR  Susan Little Evans
DEVELOPMENT & OFFICE ASSOCIATE Jenna Carter
DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Emma Hynek
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT Beth Gilbert
MARKETING COORDINATOR Stefanie Myer
OPERATIONS MANAGER Amanda Bennett
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Andrea Funk
EDUCATION COORDINATOR Tracey Roode
EDUCATION & RENTAL ASSOCIATE Cecilia Torres
WING HAVEN GARDEN CURATOR Michael Sheek
WING HAVEN GARDENER Nora Carothers
GARDENER, WING HAVEN GARDEN & BIRD SANCTUARY Damou Sako
GARDENER, WING HAVEN GARDEN & BIRD SANCTUARY Elizabeth Zembry
ACCOUNTANT Lorraine Piephoff


2025-2026 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT - DuBose Williamson
PAST PRESIDENT - Mary Stokes
CO-TREASURER - Cathy Hunter
CO-TREASURER - Erin Nelson
SECRETARY - Debbie Blystone
AUXILIARY PRESIDENT - Paige Cohen
Carlo Balistrieri
Nancy Dorrier
Anna Belk Elliott
Dana Hearn
Edward Hennessey
Jacqueline Jones
Ian Kutner
Jim LaRoe
Nancy Lowry
Will Smith
Rad von Werssowetz
John Wahr

Auxiliary Council

PRESIDENT - Paige Cohen
SECRETARY - Melanie Esham
PAST PRESIDENT - Victoria McDade
Debbie Blystone
Sherry Hall
Sharon Herman
Nancy Lowry
Sharon Vansickle
Fran Williamson

Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden Advisory Council

Carlo Balistieri
Susan Hitchcock
Elizabeth Way Rogers
Moy McIntosh
Mary Claire Wall
Evelyn Way
Warren Way III
Fran Way

 

 


Wing Haven is a 501(c)(3) organization and your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919.814.5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State. For additional information, please see Wing Haven's State of the Haven annual report, recent audited Financial Statement and Form 990. EIN 56-1014180