When you grow up on an organic farm and then live on a sailboat in the Chesapeake for three years, it’s only natural to become an advocate for the environment. As Director of LRNOW since 2005, Karen gives the river a critical voice in public policy decisions from here to the State Capitol while inspiring our efforts to protect our natural resources and create clean and healthy waterways in Virginia Beach. With a Bachelor’s from Purdue University, a Master’s from the College of William and Mary and a Certificate of Non-Profit Management, Karen has enjoyed living in Virginia since 1976. She has four sons and five grandchildren.

Karen@LRNow.org

Helen brings over twenty-five years of nonprofit experience in environmental and conservation education and outreach to LRNow as the Assistant Director and Pearl Programs Coordinator. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, focusing on environmental science from Christopher Newport University and has a Certificate in Non-Profit Management. A native of Tidewater and growing up in the Lynnhaven watershed, Helen believes that developing a personal connection to our natural resources is the first step in conserving our world for future generations.

Helen@LRNow.org

Michael brings almost 30 years of accounting experience to our bookkeeping operations.  He moved to the Virginia Beach area in 2007 from Northern Virginia to slow things down a bit and improve the opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beach and the waters.  Michael is happy to use his expertise in accounting to affect, in some small way, a positive change in the environment.

Mike@LRNow.org

For over 35 years, Brian has been enjoying the beach where the magnificent Chesapeake Bay meets the mighty Atlantic Ocean and running the trails of First Landing State Park. Very fortunate and blessed to live in this wonderful place called Virginia Beach. After retiring from the business world with stints at Nissan Motor Corp. and the Neptune Festival, he is looking forward to contributing to the mission of LRNOW so future generations can enjoy this wonderful place we call home.

Brian@LRNow.org

Mary Reid Barrow wrote columns on nature and green gardening, among other topics, for The Virginian-Pilot for decades. Now retired, she recently was recognized as the first recipient of the Wildlife Advocate Award by the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Winter Wildlife Festival. She is writing Nature Notes, a blog, for LRNOW and on the lookout for more great nature stories to tell.

MaryReid@LRNow.org

Natasha grew up in and around New England. She has called Hampton Roads home for the last 16 years. In that time she developed a love and respect for all the natural areas in this beautiful state. She and her family are passionate about not only the local environment but protecting the earth as well.  Natasha is grateful to be working with an organization that cares so deeply for its community and the protection of the beautiful areas in which she regularly hikes, walks, and bikes. She is excited to get her hands dirty, whether it be planting trees or supporting the LRNow staff, volunteers, and interns.  She looks forward to getting to know more of the LRNow extended family, volunteers, Pearl Homes, Businesses, Schools, and Faith Communities.

Natasha@LRNow.org

Terri Gorman is the Pearl Homes and Pearl Neighborhoods Coordinator for LRNow who works with residents and communities on incorporating earth-friendly practices in and outside their homes that impact our waterways and environment. Terri is a Virginia Wesleyan University graduate who completed her liberal arts degree in Sociology and Studio Arts.  Born in the Appalachian Mountains and raised in a rural town in Connecticut, Terri has made Virginia Beach her home for the past 30 years where she enjoys the beauty of Virginia Beach natural areas. She credits her father for teaching her to respect and protect nature and our environment. In her spare time Terri can be found gardening, creating art or walking her dog Coco along the Virginia Beach waterways.

Terri@LRNow.org

Vince Bowhers grew up outside of Boston and from an early age found joy in being on the water. Whether fishing for a six-inch brook trout or a six-foot billfish, riding in a kayak or on an aircraft carrier, if it involves the water, count him in. Following graduation from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Oceanography, Vince became a Naval Aviator and moved to Virginia Beach, where he decided to stay after 35 years of service. Although he spent most of his career on sea duty, when at home, Vince studied the issues impacting our local waterways and volunteered countless hours supporting programs involving the stewardship of our local waters. In addition, he earned a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, taught military planning at Joint Forces Staff College, and worked in our local business community as a licensed financial advisor. Vince brings years of education, observation, and experience to Lynnhaven River NOW in his role as the Landscaping and Living Shoreline Coordinator.

Vince@LRNow.org

Molly is a proud New Jersey native but fell in love with Virginia when she was looking at colleges. She graduated from Roanoke College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a minor in Political Science and then returned to New Jersey to work in politics. She spent a year interning with the New Jersey Senate Majority Office, mostly behind the scenes of the Environment and Energy Committee. A few political campaigns later, she ended up at the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters primarily focused on water quality issues and educating municipalities on how to better manage their stormwater runoff. She relocated to Virginia Beach in 2020 after she married her husband, who is in the Navy. Out of all the places she could have gone, Molly is glad to be back in Virginia and enjoying her new beach life with her Golden Retriever never far behind. She really appreciates VB’s abundance of two things in particular, good craft beer and delicious oysters.

Molly@LRNow.org

Emily grew up in New York where she spent many afternoons exploring the small tract of woods behind her house. That interest in the environment turned into a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies and a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management. Emily spent many years as an environmental educator in New York and spent summers performing trail work in the National Parks. She is passionate about many environmental topics including water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and building climate resilient communities. She recently relocated to Virginia Beach with her family and is enjoying learning more about the local environment and communities.

EmilyL@LRNow.org

Dana Gauthier, a Virginia Beach native, studied environmental anthropology in college.
After college she worked with the School for Field Studies, an environmental problem-solving program in Africa. There, Dana did research and fieldwork for the creation of a protected natural corridor between national parks. Today, the corridor is managed as a protected wildlife sanctuary in Kenya.
Dana also worked as caretaker of the Butterfly Garden on the Horticulture Staff at Norfolk Botanical Garden. She gained valuable knowledge of native plants and conservation landscaping practices.
Dana spends her free time outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gardening. She is passionate about conservation and passing on a sense of stewardship.

Dana@LRNow.org

Protecting the special natural areas, waterways and shorelines of Virginia Beach has been a lifelong focus for Clay. He is a graduate of UVA, Duke University and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute. He spent 37 years in state and local government focused on environmental policy, environmental planning, sustainability and environmental restoration. Clay’s connection to Lynnhaven River NOW began at its founding, offering support from the City. Today he serves LRNow by helping to coordinate land and water conservation projects. Clay is a founder of Friends of Live Oaks, member of the Board of Directors for Wildlife Response, Inc., and serves on the City’s Open Space Advisory Committee. He and his wife Holly, both natives of Virginia Beach, call the North End home. He is active in his church and enjoys music, nature walks, travel and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Clay@LRNow.org

Tom White joined LRNOW in 2019 and is the Save Oyster Shell Coordinator. A proud Virginia Beach native, it’s safe to say Tom knows his way around the city of Virginia Beach. Several times a week Tom collects bushels of oyster shell from LRNow S.O.S participating restaurants so that the shell can be placed back in the water for future oyster reef restoration projects. Tom has spent the last 40 years working with clients as a Commercial Landscape Contractor & Designer, Virginia Certified Nurseryman and North Carolina Certified Plantsman. Tom has passed his love for nature and the environment down to his daughter, a junior at ODU studying Marine Biology and his son, a junior at Cox High School.

As a child, Emily Willis spent many of her days outside exploring the ecosystems around her home in Coastal Connecticut, which inspired her love of the ocean and all things science. This led her to Texas A&M University at Galveston where she received her degree in Marine Biology and Biomedical Science. She went on to do cancer research in a lab and then became certified to teach secondary science. Emily continued to follow her trend for living in unique coastal ecosystems when she moved to Hawaii where she lived for seven years. It was there that her passion for conversation grew, and she became involved with environmental education. Now as a resident of Virginia Beach, she is excited to take an active role in conservation efforts for the watershed in which she lives. In her spare time, Emily still enjoys exploring interesting ecosystems, now with her husband and their dog, Abby.

Emilyw@lrnow.org