The University of Lynchburg’s Claytor Nature Center has a new director: Lindsay Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, who started work in June, came to Lynchburg from Liberty High School in Bedford, Virginia. She taught agriscience classes there for 17 years and taught at another local high school for three years.
“As much as I enjoyed teaching, when this opportunity came open, I knew it was right for me,” Tomlinson said. “I hope my time here can be spent making Claytor Nature Center an asset to the University’s faculty and students, as well as help it to become even more of a shining spot within our community.
“I hope to facilitate and assist in premier outdoor learning opportunities for Lynchburg’s students, as well as members of the local community. Encouraging biological research on our vast property is also a priority.”
Tomlinson has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Delaware Valley University and a Master of Education in career and technical education from Virginia Tech.
She currently serves as president of the Virginia Association of Agricultural Educators.
“That experience has afforded me the opportunity to learn more about public education at a deeper level,” she said. “I voluntarily serve on several boards in Bedford County … to continue to make Bedford County a desirable, lucrative, and comfortable place to live.”
Tomlinson lives near Claytor and has visited numerous times. “I took my students there for natural resource programming and my family really enjoyed visiting, whether it was for celebrations for friends and family or just to enjoy the day, hiking around,” she said.
“We … have strong ties to folks who knew Boyd and Virginia Claytor and contributed to the formation of the nature center.”
The University also was a familiar place for Tomlinson and her family. “I’ve been on … campus many times for a variety of reasons through the years, and every time I visited I had a good experience,” she said.
“Members of my family are Lynchburg alumni, and we regularly enjoy attending sporting events. Go Hornets! I’m very excited to be a part of Lynchburg’s culture and support the University any way I can through my work at Claytor Nature Center.”
