2024 Annual Meeting Board of Directors Slate of Nominees
Secretary – Jen Crawford
Lover of the outdoors with a strong penchant for teaching, that’s Jennifer Crawford. Widely trained as a Virginia and Florida Master Naturalist, Virginia Master Gardener, Arlington Tree Steward, and about to receive the Certificate of Accomplishment in Natural History at Nature Forward (now), Jen is passionate about continuously adding to her nature knowledge. She joyously worked as a nature interpreter at Huntley Meadows Park for three years. Professionally, she is retired! (ha!). Her work history includes service as a career Officer in Army Intelligence, followed by 10 years of service as an elementary school teacher. She is excited to get involved with the Virginia Native Plant Society! [to fill vacancy for term which ends November, 2026]
Education Chair – Maeve Coker
Maeve Coker earned her Bachelors in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from California University of Pennsylvania in 2014. She has spent several years working with nesting shorebirds for The Nature Conservancy on the Virginia Barrier Islands, and currently works as a Biological Technician for the US Fish and Wildlife Service at the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. She is a life Member of the Virginia Native Plant Society, Northern Neck Chapter, and is an avid volunteer on the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck for a variety of citizen science surveys. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of Dragon Run as their Citizen Science Chair. Maeve spends her free time birding and botanizing. She lives in Essex County with her husband Joey, and their rescue hounds Gypsy and Daisy. [to fill vacancy for term which ends November, 2025]
Fundraising Chair – Emilia Godwin
Emilia Godwin comes to Virginia Native Plant Society with more than twenty years of experience in fundraising, development, communications, and nonprofit management, gained in a variety of cause-driven organizations. She has master’s degrees in business (Marketing & Communications) and in history & cultural anthropology; she has been educating herself in horticulture, and, specifically, in growing native plants for many years – first in California, then in Virginia. In addition to VNPS, Emilia is a member of the American Horticultural Society. She actively cultivates an eclectic collection of personal interests and hobbies, including conservation, ecology, nature-positive gardening, as well as foreign languages, ethnic cultures and food, travel, and photography. She is married and has a daughter, Audrey, who is a sophomore at Christopher Newport University, working toward a degree in Political Science and Business. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Emilia moved to the United States in 1995.
Director at Large, Technology – David Gorsline
David Gorsline is a recently retired software engineer and a Fairfax Master Naturalist. A member of VNPS since 2016, he handles membership duties for the Potowmack chapter. He is an eager team member for many non-native invasive management projects across Northern Virginia. He is a sector leader for the Seneca Christmas Bird Count and a leader/participant on various butterfly surveys, odonate counts, and bio-blitzes. David built applications for the web for three decades. He has wrangled HTML for community theater web sites; co-wrote a blogging tool for radio journalists; and edits scientists’ biographies for Wikipedia. David lives in Reston; he holds a degree in mathematics and economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. More info at http://davidgorsline.info/
Botany Chair – John Hayden
John Hayden is Professor of Biology at the University of Richmond and has served as VNPS Botany Chair since 2004. He has written the VNPS Wildflower of the Year brochures and regularly contributes scientific articles for our Sempervirens quarterly. He has also served on the VNPS Research Grants Review Committee since its inception in 2015 and led the Seeds of Success effort in 2005. John participates on social media and patiently answers plant identification queries.. He is an active member of the VNPS Pocahontas Chapter, frequently presents chapter programs, and teaches botany to Master Naturalists. He earned a BS from the University of Connecticut and MS and PhD from the University of Maryland, and is a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Science.
Director at Large, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice – Aaron Kershaw
Aaron Kershaw is a marketing and communications professional who has utilized his skills and expertise to passionately advocate for the protection of nature. He has extensive experience as a marketing and communications director and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and freelance marketing strategist for environmental organizations. Since 2020, Aaron has been working for the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, where he developed effective marketing strategies that led to record-breaking fundraising campaigns and increased the organization’s brand awareness and support. Additionally, Aaron has served as a staff lead for NVCT’s DEI, Marketing and Development, and Strategic Planning Steering Committees. A Virginia native now living in Washington, D.C., Aaron is committed to protecting nature and maintaining healthy, livable communities.
President – Nancy Vehrs
Nancy Vehrs has been VNPS President for the past twelve years. She previously served on the VNPS board as recording secretary. She is also President of the Prince William Wildflower Society and is on the Board of the Upper Occoquan Service Authority. In November 2023, she was elected a board director of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District. She leads regular bird walks, has been a team leader at the Nokesville Christmas Bird Count since 2008 and leads a sector of the Manassas Butterfly Count. Nancy recently received the highest award that the National Garden Clubs gives to non-members — their National Award of Excellence for her work and dedication in conservation and native plant initiatives. In 2018, the Prince William Conservation Alliance honored Nancy with the Heart of Gold Award for her service, contributions, and conservation advocacy. Nancy is well known across Virginia for her successful efforts to conserve and protect Virginia native plants and our precious environmental resources. Before retiring in 2012, Nancy served for 21 years as Clerk of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary.