Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative

Justin Proctor, VGBI Coordinator (Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes)

ProctorCJ@si.edu
(607) 229-6255

Justin works to assist producers and landowners in adopting a suite of best management practices for bird conservation on their landscapes. Justin has spent 15+ years working in the fields of science, education, and conservation, affording him opportunities to conduct ecological research across the western hemisphere. Justin is excited to be a part of an initiative that takes science and turns it into action that builds back biodiversity and the sustainability of local farmland.

Favorite grassland bird: Chimney Swift

October Greenfield, VGBI Co-Coordinator (The Piedmont Environmental Council)

ogreenfield@pecva.org
(540) 347-2334 ext. 7051

October is the Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council. Her work includes executing a diverse portfolio of wildlife habitat restoration projects, leading community-based conservation efforts, and promoting landowner engagement around habitat management. She manages the VGBI Financial Incentives Program and is a licensed raptor bander, banding birds from many of the nest boxes VGBI has installed. 

Favorite grassland bird: Barn Owl

Lauria McShane, VGBI Assistant (The Piedmont Environmental Council)

lmcshane@pecva.org
(540) 977-2033 ext. 7056

Prior to joining PEC’s staff, Lauria graduated from Sweet Briar College with her B.S. in Biology, worked with the James River Association as a riparian buffer steward, and studied and worked in sustainable agriculture productions at her campus greenhouse. Lauria also works for Seven Bends Native Plant Nursery as part of their marketing team. She currently serves as VGBI’s program assistant based out of PEC’s office in Charlottesville.

Favorite grassland bird: Loggerhead Shrike

Caty McVicker, Quail & Grassland Field Biologist (Quail Forever/NRCS/VGBI)

cmcvicker@quailforever.org

Caty’s position brings new technical assistance for quail and grassland bird conservation into the Shenandoah Valley. This position is jointly overseen by NRCS, Quail Forever, and VGBI, and will help bring the collective expertise, programming, and outreach of each of those organizations to more landowners and farmers in Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah, and Rockingham Counties. Caty received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Conservation Studies from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s in Ecosystem Management and Administration from Pennsylvania State University. She became especially interested and passionate about bird and habitat conservation during her time with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Migratory Bird Center.

Favorite grassland bird: Red-winged Blackbird

Taylor Adam, Mid Atlantic Livestock and Grazing Manager (American Farmland Trust)

tadam@farmland.org

Taylor is the Mid-Atlantic Livestock & Grazing Manager at American Farmland Trust, where she leads programs and services that support livestock producers and graziers in implementing practices to build thriving farm businesses. Prior to joining AFT, Taylor worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Sullivan County, managed multi-species grazing operations in California and New Jersey, served in Peace Corps Togo, and earned her B.S. degree from Penn State University.

Favorite grassland bird: Loggerhead Shrike

Alison Menefee, Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist (Quail Forever)

amenefee@quailforever.org

Alison works in joint capacity with partner agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to coordinate and implement wildlife habitat-related conservation programs within bobwhite quail focal regions throughout northeast Virginia, while also promoting habitat programs and initiatives. Alison also oversees additional Quail Forever biologists in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.

Favorite grassland bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Amy Johnson, Program Director (Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes)

johnsonae@si.edu

As Program Director for Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, Amy leads a team that cultivates a dynamic network of private landowners, citizen scientists, NGOs, state agencies and research scientists to collectively investigate the impacts of conservation management and land use on biodiversity. In addition to research, she is committed to developing a strong outreach program that communicates research findings to inform best management practices for regional conservation partners and the community.

Favorite Grassland Bird: Eastern Meadowlark

Mike Kane, Director of Conservation (The Piedmont Environmental Council)

mkane@pecva.org

Favorite Grassland Bird: 

Ann Richman, Conservation Manager (Shenandoah Valley Conservancy)

ann@shenandoah.org

Ann is a Conservation Manager for the Shenandoah Valley Conservancy, where she works with landowners to protect agricultural land, forests, and waterways through conservation easements. She has experience in aquatic ecology and biological assessments, environmental remediation, wetland delineations, and geographic information systems. Ann earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences from George Mason University.

Favorite Grassland Bird: American Kestrel

Peter Hujik, Director (Shenandoah Valley Conservancy)

peter@shenandoah.org

Peter serves as the Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Conservancy, the only land trust dedicated solely to protecting the Shenandoah Valley.  He has spear-headed farmland protection efforts in both Virginia and New York and began his conservation career with The Nature Conservancy in northern California, where he restored riparian forests and managed native grasslands with prescribed fire. He brings deep experience in landscape-scale conservation, ecological restoration, and community-focused land protection. Peter holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

Favorite Grassland Bird: Loggerhead Shrike