Chapter Board Members
Meg Doppée : Co-President
My why about being a Master Naturalist I love to be outdoors, in the sun preferably. There are so many positive benefits that Nature gives us that I want to share that with others.
I have a BS in Bio/Zoology and an MS Ed. in curriculum design, specific to Environmental Education. I have worked in zoos, museums, science centers, and have taught in classrooms, in the woods, at the beach, and on a boat. It think there is a Dr. Suess rhyme in there somewhere. I feel most comfortable teaching about animal adaptations, ecology and teaching skills. I have been in the community education field for over 30 years. I am a project wild and project learning tree facililtator, sharing these amazing curriculums to educators throughout Northern Virginia.
Nell Benton: Co-President
Like the rest of us, I have a great affinity for nature and would love to be outside all the time. My natural optimism is sometimes challenged when I read bad news and hear how humans can degrade and hurt other people and our natural world. I got to know Judy Gallagher when I took a philosophy of nature class at Woodend 8 years ago. As she drove me home I felt my natural optimism return to me as she discussed the Virginia Master Naturalist program. Later when Terri Mewborn let it be known that she was looking for someone to go through the training with her, I jumped at the chance.
I am interested in all aspects of VMN, but I have to say my favorite projects aside from Butterfly Day are MWEEs and Meg’s Project Wild training. Teachers and students relight the optimistic spark at my core.
Melinda Landry : Past Co-President
I’ve been a Master Naturalist since 2016. This is my first volunteer position with our chapter – starting big! I am the Environmental Literacy Coordinator for Prince William County Schools. This is my 17th year with the school division and my 22nd year in education. In my position, I develop grade-level, specific, cross-curricular activities and work collaboratively with community partners like us to create an Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP) for the Division. I own chickens, bees, indoor cats, and maintain a native plant meadow to support biodiversity in our community.
Matthew Horn: Past Co-President
I work on Capitol Hill and work as a contract specialist for the Chief Administrative Office for the House of Representatives. I've been a Master Naturalist since January 20th, 2022. I'm also an avid gardener, enjoy building things, and HAM radio.
Shea C. Megale - DEIA Consultant
Shea C. Megale joined the Virginia Master Naturalists in 2019 and first certified in 2021. Passionate about wildlife, Megale aced zoology and has been known to fall asleep covered in guinea pigs or dogs. Megale is a chemical water quality monitor for Prince William County, a Site Lead with the Cub Run Stream Valley Park Volunteer [Cleanup] Team, and a dabbler in druidry. Although attached to a motorized wheelchair, this Merrimac Farm officer has been known to ford into streams and through tall grass—just to flex.
CC Lim: Secretary
Our daughter, Megan, was first introduced to the Master Naturalist program while in Eco Club, sponsored by Melinda Landry, at Patriot High School. Together with her, my husband, HC, and I are graduates of the 2019 class. I had been a volunteer nature guide at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, an important stopover point for migratory birds in Singapore, where I met my husband, who was working as a scientific officer, more than twenty years ago. Our family enjoys camping, hiking and canoeing/kayaking in state and national parks, so volunteering with Master Naturalists is an obvious way to serve our community.
Eric Fagerholm: Treasurer
I graduated with the 2018 Basic Training Class, loved it, and it was an eye opener. I want to "give back," and volunteered to serve on our Board.
I served for 31 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, most of that time as a pilot. It was a wonderful career, and one of my favorite missions was marine environmental protection. My second career was at the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters, where I worked for 12 years in border security and continuity of operations.
In 2015, after 43 years of federal service, I saw the light, and retired to spend time with my family, including six grandchildren, and volunteer work. I serve on the Prince William Conservation Alliance Board, the Prince William County Wetlands Board, my homeowners association's landscape committee, the Ducks Unlimited Prince William Chapter Committee, and as the First District Volunteer Leader for the Humane Society of the United States in Virginia. I am passionate about our environment and animal welfare.
Lisa Matthews (aka Tree Hugger): Membership Chair
I’ve been a Master Naturalist since 2010 and used the training to help me at my job at a nature center. Because I’m a native Californian, I needed to learn about the local flora and fauna . My background is in general biology (when that was a thing). I’ve volunteered and worked teaching environmental education for the past 16 years to all ages and programs (such as Boy and Girl Scouts). Leading the Scouts and being president of a large women's club gave me experience leading organizations. I have volunteered at a bird rescue, caring for numerous species of animals through my work and volunteering. I’ve had the joy and privilege to bird on three continents! I’m also a scuba diver and hiker."We have exciting plans for our future meetings and for our chapter. We are building steps to help you successfully reach your re-certification every year. We are looking for projects to help you easily accomplish that goal while having as much fun as you can!"
Tim Chenault: Volunteer Projects Chair
I am pleased to be a 2021 VNM Basic Course graduate and to join the Merrimac Farms Board in 2022. Now that I am retired from a career as a government contract attorney, I find myself with more opportunity to learn about and support our natural environment. I also maintain a trail section at Prince William Forest with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and have volunteered with The Nature Conservancy. I am also a volunteer with Leesylvania State Park where hours also count towards VMN.
Cindi Lin: Communications Chair
Mom of three, wife, raised Buddhist, boater, dancer, teacher. I have sailed a tall ship through the Northeast of the United States, fostered dogs, danced in Qatar for the Asian Cup Ceremonies, and done almost every type of job. I’ve met people from all walks of life through my journey so far.
My why for being a Master Naturalist - I love learning about all aspects of nature. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, especially water activities like swimming in rivers, lakes, and boating. But the number one reason I joined is my daughter, Lani. She is an environmentalist and has influenced me as much as I’ve influenced her..
Valerie Huelsman: Website
Since childhood I've enjoyed exploring the wild areas of suburban Virginia and learning about the environment under the indirect tutelage of Captain Planet, Hayao Miyazaki and others. I've worked in the NOVA region involved in environmental management and education for over a decade. I was excited to join the chapter in 2017 to continue to expand my understanding of our regional ecology and to collaborate with fellow passionate volunteers in Prince William.
Marie Pinto: Newsletter
I became a master naturalist because I wanted to volunteer in my
community and because environmental issues are important to me. I
am always interested in learning more about the natural world, so I
was very excited to complete my basic training course with the
Northern Neck chapter in 2021. In particular I enjoy completing
projects related to community outreach and citizen science.
I decided to join the board to help contribute to the success of our
chapter. The monthly newsletter is very important for connecting our members with volunteer and CE opportunities – I hope to use my skills to continue producing high quality newsletters for our chapter
Carolyn Kupec: Training Chair
Why did I become a Virginia Master Naturalist? I am a native Northern
Virginian, and while I have studied critters in Africa, Greece, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the American Midwest, before joining VMN I only had a basic understanding of the flora and fauna of my local area. I returned to Northern Virginia in 2015 and joined Merrimac Farm VMN in 2016.
Why am I joining the Board? I enjoy planning and organizing the curriculum for the Basic Training Course (BTC) and love interacting with the instructors we use as part of the BTC. I was previously the Training Chair for Merrimac Farm from 2017 to 2019 and volunteered to return.
Joyce Andrew: Member at Large
I have been interested in nature since childhood and developed a sense of wonder early on. The woods have been a place of solace all my life. I taught my children to enjoy and appreciate the natural world.
My nursing profession did not allow as much immersion in nature as I would have liked. About 40 years ago I got interested in native plants. I am a charter member of Prince William Wildflower Society and have participated in many of their activities. I have many native plants in my garden.
When I moved to Dunbarton I convinced the HOA to participate in the new ADOPT A STREAM program and ran that for 14 years.
I began to see articles about Virginia Master Naturalists in other areas and thought that would be something I would like. In 2008 a chapter was formed at Merrimac Farm and I applied and was accepted. I graduated in 2008 and have been active ever since. I have come to appreciate the wonders of nature even more through Master Naturalists.
I attended a Master Naturalist meeting in 2009 and was introduced to Nature Journaling and fell in love with it. I continue to journal, have taken more classes and am willing to teach this to others. I also started watercolor painting when I retired and usually paint birds and flowers.
I work with plant NOVA NATIVES setting up displays in local libraries, in addition I am active In Cornell’s FEEDER WATCH, NATURE’S NOTEBOOK AND HUMMINGBIRDS AT HOME. I work for events when naturalists are needed and at PWWS events. Now I am serving on the Merrimac Board as a member at large.
Chapter Co-Advisor: Lindsey Long
Chapter Co-Advisor: Camron Robertson
I grew up on a farm in Fauquier County, VA and was introduced to hunting and fishing at a young age. This early exposure to nature eventually contributed to a passion for game and non-game wildlife species alike. With the goal of pursuing a career pertaining to my interests, I attended Virginia Tech and earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation. I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of ecosystems with different taxa including songbirds, shorebirds, bats, mesocarnivores, deer, and many more. After spending time in various parts of Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and California as well as studying conservation in Australia and New Zealand, I somehow ended up back in my hometown to work for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. As a Wildlife Area Manager with DWR, my main objective is to improve habitat for all of Virginia’s native wildlife and provide access to our areas for people to enjoy wildlife related activities. Outside of work I enjoy wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, birding, biking, and board sports.