Meet the Butterflies LIVE! Staff
by Hilaire Ashworth, Assistant Butterfly Curator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
We are so excited that the time has finally come for the opening of Butterflies LIVE! On behalf of all of the curators, we say hello and want to officially introduce ourselves. Each butterfly curator was asked a series of questions and we picked some of their best answers. Stop by and say hello, we would love to meet you too!
Lisa Shiffert – Lead Butterfly Curator
Lead Butterfly Curator Lisa Shiffert
Q: How long have you been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
A: I have been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden since 2007, first as the Bright Spots volunteer then as a part time seasonal gardener from 2008-2013.
Q: Where do you call home?
A: Born in DC, I grew up in Northern Virginia, then my parents retired to Florida so I consider Virginia my home, and Florida my second home.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I try to spend my spare time with my two children and husband in the outdoors as much as possible. It is high school soccer season, so I am currently watching my son play for his high school soccer team.
Q: What did you do before becoming a butterfly curator?
A: Before becoming a butterfly curator I was a gardener and before that a stay at home mom. I have a horticulture background and previously mainly worked in the interior landscaping industry.
Sherry Giese – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Sherry Giese
Q: How long have you been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
A: I started volunteering at the Garden in 2003 at the plant sales after taking a Master Gardener course, I have continued volunteering with the plant sales. I am a Garden Guide, volunteer in the greenhouse, conservatory, and at Dominion GardenFest of Lights. I am starting my second year as a Butterfly Curator.
Q: What did you do before becoming a butterfly curator?
A: I have volunteered with several different organizations: Hanover Master Gardeners, Hanover Land Care Stewards, Hanover Master Naturalists. I also worked 33 years as a Scientist in the Metals Division and the Enteric Disease Branch at the Consolidated Laboratories (State Health Department).
Q: Where do you call home?
A: I grew up in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. I lived in Illinois, New Mexico and Mississippi before moving to Richmond in 1978. I guess Richmond is home since I have resided here the longest.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: Run, garden, and play with my three dogs, two birds and a rabbit.
Caroline Meehan – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Caroline Meehan
Q: If you were a butterfly, which one would you be?
A: Julia (Dryas julia).
Q: How long have you been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
A: In 2009 and 2012 I was a assistant butterfly curator, and served as the lead butterfly curator in 2013. I have also volunteered off and on since 2009.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I volunteer at Lewis Ginter and actively participate as a member of Virginia Native Plant Society & Virginia Master Naturalist. I also enjoy working in garden at home as well as canoeing and kayaking Virginia rivers.
Q: What do you love most about Richmond?
A: Sunshine, location, history, culture, universities, and people.
Sally Stockslager – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Sally Stockslager
Q: If you were a butterfly, which one would you be?
A: Banded peacock (Papilio palinurus).
Q: Choose one word to describe yourself.
A: Honest.
Q: How long have you been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
A: I have been volunteering here for about 8 years and served as an assistant butterfly curator for 3 years.
Q: Besides butterflies, what are you passionate about?
A: The environment.
Matthew Daniel – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Matthew Daniel
Q: If you were a butterfly, which one would you be?
A: Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) . They are the commonly seen “wooly bear” caterpillars that can survive extreme subzero temperatures; coming back to life even after all cellular respiration stops.
Q: How long have you been at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
A: I have been a volunteer and employee off and on over the years since high school — since 1999.
Q: Besides butterflies, what are you passionate about?
A: Teaching people about the environment.
Q: What do you love most about Richmond?
A: The amount of parks, but especially the James River.
Hilaire Ashworth – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Hilaire Ashworth
Q: If you were a butterfly, which one would you be?
A: Bat Wing (Atrophaneura semperi)! I love the vibrant red against the black and white wings.
Q: Where do you call home?
A: I am originally from Ashland but moved to Colorado to pursue my undergraduate degree in 2009. After college I moved to Costa Rica for about 5 months, which I absolutely loved, but ultimately moved back to the Richmond area to be closer to family.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I spend most of my spare time with my adopted street cat and organic gardening. However, I love rock climbing, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as I possibly can.
Q: What do you love most about Richmond?
A: I love all of the awesome festivals that Richmond has to offer. The Richmond Folk Festival and Broad Appetite have to be my two favorite though.
Tori Trevillian – Assistant Butterfly Curator
Assistant Butterfly Curator Tori Trevillian
Q: If you were a butterfly, which one would you be?
A: I would be a Tailed jay (Graphium agamemnon). Jays have a delicate pastel green and pink pattern on the underside of their wings but a very loud, bright green spots on the dorsal side. They rest with their wings closed, so you rarely see the bright green spots on top when they open them in flight. I identify with the tailed jay because there are certain facets of my personality which are very strong, but that I can’t always be open about, and which I must present more gently to people in my life.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: In my spare time I enjoy searching for snakes other swamp critters, Lindy hop and hiking, working in my garden and trying to make my violin playing sound less painful.
Q: Choose one word to describe yourself.
A: Analytical.
Q: What did you do before becoming a butterfly curator?
A: Before becoming a butterfly curator I taught wildlife classes at Jamestown 4H, and before that worked in the Busch Gardens zoo.