Open House - Meet Our New Executive Director!

We are delighted to announce that our Executive Director search is over! Please welcome Shawn Halifax. Shawn most recently served as an internal consultant to the Fairfax County Park Authority, but his wide-ranging experience includes ten years managing the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a natural and cultural history preserve in Charleston, South Carolina, where he also founded the Charleston-area Master Naturalist program. Other career highlights include developing and facilitating the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Ethical Interpretation Workshop; founding the American Association for State and Local History’s History in Our Parks initiative; and leading the first-ever ownership transfer of a United States Army museum at Fort Monroe’s Casemate Museum. A graduate of Christopher Newport University, he is certified by the National Association for Interpretation in planning and training at nature- and history-based sites.

His work is guided by four core principles: aligning natural and historic resource management strategies; teaching how those resources are fundamentally connected; collaborating with underrepresented communities to elevate their place-based histories; and building meaningful, lasting relationships among diverse stakeholders.

Shawn says, “It’s an exciting time for the Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, and I’m humbled to take on a role in leading it into its next chapter. The Foundation’s board, volunteers, and staff are a wonderful group of dedicated people. I look forward to working with them and getting to know the Charlottesville community.” Shawn’s first day is March 2.

Come meet Shawn at our Open House on Thursday, March 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Education Building.