The Wild Ones Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter welcomes people from all walks of life who have a passion for native plants and the wildlife they support. Whether you are planting natives in an urban balcony, a suburban garden, or a larger landscape, we invite you to join us and continue learning about how native plants benefit our regional ecosystem and support biodiversity. Our chapter’s primary goal is to support and educate individuals and communities as they develop their native landscapes through activities that include:
- Regular online meetings highlighting topical presentations and member discussion
- Tours to see native plants in a variety of private and public settings
- Educational events (in-person, online, or hybrid)
- Participation in community events and volunteer opportunities
- Collaborative work with other organizations that also promote native plants and biodiversity
2025 Chapter Officers and Board Members
President – Sharon Lamberton *
Early in 2022, a webinar series that featured Dr. Doug Tallamy and Wild Ones’ Lisa Olsen galvanized this relatively inexperienced “general” gardener to join Wild Ones and begin work to found a chapter to serve the Richmond area. Since then, the beautiful and urgent purpose of native plant gardening has been a constant inspiration, as have the many people she continues to meet through this effort. Sharon became a Virginia Master Naturalist (Riverine Chapter) in 2023, and is a member of the Pocahontas Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society and the Sierra Club.
Vice President (Currently Open)
Secretary – Diane Dunaway
Diane spent the last two decades coordinating land conservation easements on wetlands and farmland, mainly with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Earlier years were spent in urban forestry and horticulture. She enjoys hiking with her dog, housing bluebirds, and swapping natives for her Richmond home habitat. A current favorite is Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea). Love of the natural world inspires her support of the Wild Ones goals of biodiversity restoration and preservation.
Treasurer – Julie Charbonnier *
Julie is passionate about conservation, sustainability and nature. She earned her PhD in Integrative Life Sciences from VCU. Her research focused on amphibian responses to environmental changes. Julie has certified her yard as a wildlife habitat and monarch waystation.
Membership Chair – Bill Lamberton
Bill is a retired systems analyst who enjoys playing the guitar, conserving resources (like energy, water, and money!), and talking with neighbors who walk by the yard he shares with Sharon about the native plantings out front and the wildlife that flocks to them. Currently, Bill’s favorite native plants are the Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) and Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum).
Publicity and Social Media Chair – Robin Allman *
Robin is a retired pediatric nurse practitioner who found her dream house in the city of Richmond in 2018. Unfortunately, the yard was covered in bamboo, and the Trees of Heaven were draped with wintercreeper. Thankfully, those are merely vigilance weeding chores now, and all Robin’s new native babies are starting to thrive. The pandemic lockdown gave Robin a lot of time to learn about natives and their benefits, but she owes her passion for natives to the book, Noah’s Garden by Sara Stein. Robin’s motto is “Happy gardening!”
Board Liaison – Dan Schardein
Dan retired following a 30+ year career in local government, mostly in leadership positions in the Community Development arena. Looking for a productive volunteer opportunity, he became a Certified Master Naturalist with the Riverine chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists in 2018, subsequently serving two terms as chapter President (in 2020-21 and 2021-22) and and as Immediate Past President (2022-23). Dan also has been involved with or served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations over the years. He says he is “an extroverted idea person who enjoys working with people, especially in a team environment.”
Open Board Position – Janit Llewellyn
Janit is a native plant enthusiast with a background in biology, landscape architecture, and park planning. She volunteers on a Brandermill Community Association committee to promote native plantings at the neighborhood entrances. Janit’s past nonprofit experience as co-chair of the James River Advisory Council and as the former executive director of Friends of Chesterfield’s Riverfront will likely benefit the Wild Ones community. Janit’s love of camping, hiking, swimming, walking her dog, and the outdoors influences her desire to help Wild Ones become stronger.
Past Chapter Officers and Board Members
An asterisk indicates a founding member of the chapter.
- Ed Deale * – Membership Chair (2022-24)
- Laura Lemmon * – Vice President (2022-23); Secretary (2024)
Members are encouraged to read through the Chapter Bylaws. The bylaws also are accessible from a link on our website’s home page and in the chapter’s profile at wildones.org.