Virginia Master Naturalist Steering Committee
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The statewide Steering Committee oversees chapter activities and develops program policy and plans. The committee is made up of representatives of each of the sponsoring state agencies and volunteers representing each region of the state. The current steering committee members include:
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Karen Duhring, Virginia Institute of Marine Science Center for Coastal Resources Management
Karen Duhring has 25 years of experience as a coastal management scientist. She has been with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Center for Coastal Resources Management since 1999. Karen presently serves as the Center’s outreach coordinator with programs, publications, and advisory service related to shoreline stabilization and living shorelines, coastal wetlands and riparian buffers, and conservation landscaping with native plants. Karen teaches Virginia Master Naturalist basic training classes covering coastal and estuarine ecology and management. Karen is the caretaker of the VIMS Teaching Marsh with help from Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers. This is a 1-acre demonstration wetland and riparian buffer habitat on campus where visitors and students can learn about coastal plants, habitats, sea level rise, and stormwater runoff. Karen has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from New College in Sarasota, Florida and a M.S. in Coastal Zone Management from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.
Karen Duhring has 25 years of experience as a coastal management scientist. She has been with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science - Center for Coastal Resources Management since 1999. Karen presently serves as the Center’s outreach coordinator with programs, publications, and advisory service related to shoreline stabilization and living shorelines, coastal wetlands and riparian buffers, and conservation landscaping with native plants. Karen teaches Virginia Master Naturalist basic training classes covering coastal and estuarine ecology and management. Karen is the caretaker of the VIMS Teaching Marsh with help from Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers. This is a 1-acre demonstration wetland and riparian buffer habitat on campus where visitors and students can learn about coastal plants, habitats, sea level rise, and stormwater runoff. Karen has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from New College in Sarasota, Florida and a M.S. in Coastal Zone Management from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.
Carol Heiser, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Carol Heiser has been in the conservation education field for 25 years. She began her career as a Naturalist at Crockett Park in Fauquier County, and then became a Conservation Specialist for the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District in Warrenton. Today, Carol is the Education Section Manager and Habitat Education Coordinator at the DGIF in Richmond, where she has worked for 20 years. As Education Section Manager, Carol supervises the agency's Wildlife Education and Outdoor Education programs. As Habitat Education Coordinator, she conducts trainings across the state and oversees a volunteer program of about 200 Habitat Facilitators. The Habitat Partners Program includes outreach in the areas of Schoolyard Habitat, Corporate Habitat, and Habitat at Home. Carol also serves on the Board of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. Carol's educational background includes a BS in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech and a Certificate of Landscape Design from George Washington University.
Carol Heiser has been in the conservation education field for 25 years. She began her career as a Naturalist at Crockett Park in Fauquier County, and then became a Conservation Specialist for the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District in Warrenton. Today, Carol is the Education Section Manager and Habitat Education Coordinator at the DGIF in Richmond, where she has worked for 20 years. As Education Section Manager, Carol supervises the agency's Wildlife Education and Outdoor Education programs. As Habitat Education Coordinator, she conducts trainings across the state and oversees a volunteer program of about 200 Habitat Facilitators. The Habitat Partners Program includes outreach in the areas of Schoolyard Habitat, Corporate Habitat, and Habitat at Home. Carol also serves on the Board of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. Carol's educational background includes a BS in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech and a Certificate of Landscape Design from George Washington University.
Jim McGlone, Department of Forestry
Jim McGlone has a PhD in Human Ecology (aka Economics) from Virginia Tech and a Master’s Certificate in Environmental Law and Policy from the USDA Graduate School. He has taught economics at Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Northern Illinois University, and done research at the Economic Research Service of the USDA. A self-taught naturalist and ecologist, he has managed the natural resources of a 500 acre park in Fairfax County and is currently an Urban Forest Conservationist with the Virginia Department of Forestry in Northern Virginia. He and his wife have been practicing conservation landscaping for the past 10 years and eliminated turf grass from their property 7 years ago.
Jim McGlone has a PhD in Human Ecology (aka Economics) from Virginia Tech and a Master’s Certificate in Environmental Law and Policy from the USDA Graduate School. He has taught economics at Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Northern Illinois University, and done research at the Economic Research Service of the USDA. A self-taught naturalist and ecologist, he has managed the natural resources of a 500 acre park in Fairfax County and is currently an Urban Forest Conservationist with the Virginia Department of Forestry in Northern Virginia. He and his wife have been practicing conservation landscaping for the past 10 years and eliminated turf grass from their property 7 years ago.
Christen Miller, Visitor Experience Manager, Virginia State Parks, Department of Conservation and Recreation
Born and raised in Texas where the gulf coast and piney woods met and blended, Christen was raised on a steady diet of art, nature, history and culture. Her constant childhood companions were whispering pines and sandy soils, snakes and wildflowers, and sluggish, tannin stained waters of the bayous making their slow, steady way to the Gulf of Mexico. A graduate of the University of Houston in Clear Lake, Christen and family moved from Texas to New Orleans and then made their way to Virginia in 2001, where they found a home they never knew they were missing. After following head of heels in love with the diverse resources of the Commonwealth, she then fell head over heels into a position with state parks that has led her into a dream career. Interpretive Training, canoe instruction, living history and non-personal interpretive oversight makes up just a small part of her current duties. Although work keeps her busy, she, her husband and their three children take every opportunity to explore, camp, hike and visit museums and historic sites. Her goal in life is to raise her kids to be good citizens, to leave the world a better place and help all Virginians connect their hearts with nature like she has had the privilege to do.
Born and raised in Texas where the gulf coast and piney woods met and blended, Christen was raised on a steady diet of art, nature, history and culture. Her constant childhood companions were whispering pines and sandy soils, snakes and wildflowers, and sluggish, tannin stained waters of the bayous making their slow, steady way to the Gulf of Mexico. A graduate of the University of Houston in Clear Lake, Christen and family moved from Texas to New Orleans and then made their way to Virginia in 2001, where they found a home they never knew they were missing. After following head of heels in love with the diverse resources of the Commonwealth, she then fell head over heels into a position with state parks that has led her into a dream career. Interpretive Training, canoe instruction, living history and non-personal interpretive oversight makes up just a small part of her current duties. Although work keeps her busy, she, her husband and their three children take every opportunity to explore, camp, hike and visit museums and historic sites. Her goal in life is to raise her kids to be good citizens, to leave the world a better place and help all Virginians connect their hearts with nature like she has had the privilege to do.
Ellen Powell, Department of Forestry
Ellen Powell is the Conservation Education Coordinator for Virginia Department of Forestry, and a former Extension 4-H Agent. She was part of the team that developed the Virginia Master Naturalist program and has served on the Steering Committee since its inception. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and a Master's in forest resources from the University of Georgia. Ellen lives in Charlottesville with her husband, daughter, and cats.
Ellen Powell is the Conservation Education Coordinator for Virginia Department of Forestry, and a former Extension 4-H Agent. She was part of the team that developed the Virginia Master Naturalist program and has served on the Steering Committee since its inception. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and a Master's in forest resources from the University of Georgia. Ellen lives in Charlottesville with her husband, daughter, and cats.
Susan Powell, Southeastern Region Volunteer Representative
Susan Powell has been a member of the Historic Rivers Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists since its founding in 2006/2007. She has held the positions of President, Vice President, Volunteer Service Project Chair, Membership Chair, and Basic Training Chair and has been involved in organizing the chapter’s board of directors, basic training program, and volunteer management system. She teaches courses on habitat, ornithology, and field skills to several local Master Naturalist chapters. Her favorite Master Naturalist projects have included WildlifeMapping and helping to provide wildlife information for a kiosk installed at James City County’s Freedom Park. She is an avid birder, hobby farmer, and native plant enthusiast. She received her MS in Biology from Old Dominion University and has experience working on issues pertaining to wetlands and environmental impacts in Virginia and Mississippi.
Susan Powell has been a member of the Historic Rivers Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists since its founding in 2006/2007. She has held the positions of President, Vice President, Volunteer Service Project Chair, Membership Chair, and Basic Training Chair and has been involved in organizing the chapter’s board of directors, basic training program, and volunteer management system. She teaches courses on habitat, ornithology, and field skills to several local Master Naturalist chapters. Her favorite Master Naturalist projects have included WildlifeMapping and helping to provide wildlife information for a kiosk installed at James City County’s Freedom Park. She is an avid birder, hobby farmer, and native plant enthusiast. She received her MS in Biology from Old Dominion University and has experience working on issues pertaining to wetlands and environmental impacts in Virginia and Mississippi.
Jack Price, Northern Region Volunteer Representative
Jack is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University and a Vietnam veteran of the US Air Force. He spent a 30-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and retired as the Director of Personnel Policy for the VA Hospital System. Jack became a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist in 2008 after taking the training in 2007. He also became a Virginia Master Gardener in 2006. Jack helped to organize the Old Rag Chapter and served as the Chapter’s first president from 2008 - 2010. He currently chairs the Chapter’s Education Committee, teaches classes on biodiversity and non-native invasive plants, and has logged 3,000 hours as a Master Naturalist volunteer. Jack has served on the Board of Directors of the Shenandoah National Park Association since 2006 and was the Board President from 2010 thru 2013. He is also a volunteer in Shenandoah National Park. Jack speaks to a variety of groups about our “natural world” and in 2012 he was named the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Educator of the Year.
Jack is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University and a Vietnam veteran of the US Air Force. He spent a 30-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and retired as the Director of Personnel Policy for the VA Hospital System. Jack became a Certified Virginia Master Naturalist in 2008 after taking the training in 2007. He also became a Virginia Master Gardener in 2006. Jack helped to organize the Old Rag Chapter and served as the Chapter’s first president from 2008 - 2010. He currently chairs the Chapter’s Education Committee, teaches classes on biodiversity and non-native invasive plants, and has logged 3,000 hours as a Master Naturalist volunteer. Jack has served on the Board of Directors of the Shenandoah National Park Association since 2006 and was the Board President from 2010 thru 2013. He is also a volunteer in Shenandoah National Park. Jack speaks to a variety of groups about our “natural world” and in 2012 he was named the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Educator of the Year.
Dorothy Tompkins, Central Region Volunteer Representative
Dorothy was a member of the first class of Rivanna Master Naturalists. She has served as the chapter’s President, Chair of Volunteer Projects, and as a member of the curriculum, advanced training, program and diversity committees. She was also a member of the Search Committee for the VMN program coordinator. Dorothy serves as an instructor for birding classes and is a speaker for local groups on native plants, invasive plants, and beginner birding. She started a new Junior Naturalists 4H Club and helped form the Northern Neck Chapter, including writing their syllabus. She has completed Train the Trainer Sessions for Project Underground and Habitat for Wildlife. Dorothy is also a Master Gardener. In this role, she has served as President, Volunteer Project Coordinator, Training Class Coordinator, botany instructor, and coordinator for numerous other projects. She has initiated a gardening project with the local jail, and the local chapter received a VMG Search for Excellence Award for this project. Dorothy also serves a volunteer for the Charlottesville Area Tree Steward, assists with City Schoolyard Gardens, serves as the Albemarle Garden Club Horticulture Chair, and as a member of the GCV Horticulture Committee. Before retirement, Dorothy served as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia and continues to serve as a member of the Academy of Distinguished Educators. In her volunteer and professional life, Dorothy has received numerous honors and awards that include the Daily Progress Distinguished Dozen (2013), Master Gardener of the Year (2013), Garden Club of America Club Civic Improvement Award (2013), and the University of Virginia School of Medicine Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Dorothy was a member of the first class of Rivanna Master Naturalists. She has served as the chapter’s President, Chair of Volunteer Projects, and as a member of the curriculum, advanced training, program and diversity committees. She was also a member of the Search Committee for the VMN program coordinator. Dorothy serves as an instructor for birding classes and is a speaker for local groups on native plants, invasive plants, and beginner birding. She started a new Junior Naturalists 4H Club and helped form the Northern Neck Chapter, including writing their syllabus. She has completed Train the Trainer Sessions for Project Underground and Habitat for Wildlife. Dorothy is also a Master Gardener. In this role, she has served as President, Volunteer Project Coordinator, Training Class Coordinator, botany instructor, and coordinator for numerous other projects. She has initiated a gardening project with the local jail, and the local chapter received a VMG Search for Excellence Award for this project. Dorothy also serves a volunteer for the Charlottesville Area Tree Steward, assists with City Schoolyard Gardens, serves as the Albemarle Garden Club Horticulture Chair, and as a member of the GCV Horticulture Committee. Before retirement, Dorothy served as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia and continues to serve as a member of the Academy of Distinguished Educators. In her volunteer and professional life, Dorothy has received numerous honors and awards that include the Daily Progress Distinguished Dozen (2013), Master Gardener of the Year (2013), Garden Club of America Club Civic Improvement Award (2013), and the University of Virginia School of Medicine Award for Excellence in Teaching.