Headwaters newest member, Cyane Lowden, has transferred from the dissolved Rockbridge Chapter.

The Rockbridge Master Naturalist chapter has decided to dissolve. Its existing active members are being encouraged to consider transferring to a neighboring chapter. One volunteer, Cyane Lowden, is joining the Headwaters Chapter!

HMN Stephanie Gardner was recently in touch with Cyane to find out a little bit about her and help introduce her to our chapter:

Hi Cyane, Welcome to Headwaters Master Naturalists!

How long were you a member of the Rockbridge Master Naturalists chapter?

I was a member of Rockbridge since its beginnings, maybe 4 years ago. While I live in Richmond I come to the mountains often, in the Fairfield area. I prefer the mountains, and the little holler that I call my other home, over the flatlands for doing my Master Naturalist thing. Even though it is long distance I try to contribute as much as I can to the well being of the Valley.

I heard that you live in Richmond, Virginia, but often visit the Valley. What were some of the Virginia Master Naturalists projects on which you have worked?

As far as projects go, I am a transporter for the Wildlife Center, monitor the McCormick Farm trail, do the feeder counts in the winter for the Audubon, introduce snakes and turtles to people at the Maymont Nature Center in Richmond, and do frog watches and box turtle counts when they show up. Might be others but those are the main ones. It looks like my main area of interest is in the animal kingdom, although I love to work with trees. I am a tree steward for the city of Richmond but that doesn’t count for this. I did help once in the tree planting at McCormick which is where I met some of the Headwaters people.

What are your main areas of interest in naturalist work and study? Do you have a favorite memory from your time so far with Virginia Master Naturalists?

All my time with the VMN has been interesting and educational. I can’t think of any thing in particular. Perhaps my first animal transport was interesting, if that is the right terminology. I had to pick up a buzzard in Louisa county to transport him to the wildlife center. He came in a Bose box and hence became Buzz in the Bose box. I was warned that he might throw up if he became stressed which made me drive ever so carefully around curves and up hills. He slid only once but he behaved and I got him safely there.

Please tell us a little about yourself. I Googled your name and saw some beautiful fine art photography! What are some of your other interests and hobbies?

I spent 30 years as staff photographer for the Science Museum of VA before retiring but have always done fine art photography along side of the day job. I also do a lot of gardening for the Ginter Botanical gardens. I knit sometimes, paint watercolor sometimes. I have 4 grandchildren in Richmond, one reason I can’t retire to the mountains. They are a hobby in itself.

That is about it. I realize I can’t be in the area as much as I would like but I hope that my long distance participation can be of use.

Thanks Cyane! Welcome to Headwaters!
March 2016