The first in a series to learn more about who’s doing the work behind the scenes to keep our Chapter running along

Stephanie Gardner, HMN Board Historian and Parliamentarian, is conducting a series of online interviews with the members of our 2021 Board of Directors, starting with:

Brian Lux, President of the Board

How long have you been a Virginia Master Naturalist?  Of which Headwaters Master Naturalist cohort are you a member?

Since 2015, Cohort IV

What is your position on the HMN Board?  How long have you been serving?

Currently in the second year of my two year term as President

Have you held other positions on the HMN Board?

Basic Training Director

What is your favorite thing about your role in the chapter?

I enjoy helping people with different personal and professional circles make connections with each other through nature. 

What have been some of your most memorable activities/projects as a VMN?

I’ve enjoyed doing outreach events, especially in the local schools via in class or field excursions. One of my favorite programs was a collaboration with Sandy Greene at her house with gifted students from Rockingham County.

What are your future hopes for our chapter?

I’ve seen our chapter double in size since I first became a member and look forward to seeing us continue to grow and expand partnerships with other organizations to help connect people with nature as inquisitive citizen scientists.

Where in the Valley do you live? 

I live in the Dayton area.

Are you originally from Virginia?

I originally am from Pennsylvania, but have been in Virginia for most of my adult life. 

Please tell us a little about your past or present career(s).

Currently, I am the owner and director of Sequoia Programs, a residential summer program serving gifted and twice-exceptional young men in Pennsylvania. Previously, I founded the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Institute in Hawaii and have been an educator in Hanover, Warren, Rockingham, Augusta and Frederick counties in Virginia.

What do you do enjoy doing when not volunteering for VMN?  

 I am an avid traveler and am planning on visiting my 7th continent within the next year. 

If you were an animal, plant or fungus; what kind would you be?

I’d like to consider myself a Banyan tree. I loved these trees when I was in Hawaii and the connections that they would make with each other through shared and intertwined root systems. 

What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

I’m looking forward to getting out in nature more than in 2020 and the promise of being able to get together in groups again.