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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Dot Field is a fixture on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where for the last two decades she managed and restored some of the most significant coastal plant and animal habitats.
Field recently retired from her position as the Eastern Shore Region Steward for the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, culminating a long and successful career in conservation.
“The outpouring of well-wishes has been overwhelming,” she said. “What a fabulous group of dedicated people I’ve worked with.”
The impact of Field’s work extends far beyond the rural confines of the Shore. She is a highly regarded resource manager, biologist, researcher, teacher and key collaborator, known for her work to create habitat for migratory songbirds — an effort that involves multiple partners and agencies.
“Dot Field has been just the right person to fill the role of natural areas steward on the Eastern Shore,” said Rick Myers, Field’s supervisor of 20 years. “She knows plant communities, she knows birds and their habitat requirements, and maybe most importantly she knows people. She’s been tremendously effective at engaging volunteers, working with conservation partners and interacting with the research community.”
The mission of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program is to protect Virginia’s rare plants and animals and the habitats they require for life. The program is a division of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
One of the program’s main functions is management of the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System, which is composed of 65 preserves across the state. Natural areas stewards are the keepers of these lands and responsible for a range of management activities to protect their unique natural heritage resources.
Field began as the Eastern Shore Region Steward in 2001 and ultimately oversaw nine natural area preserves, including the well-known Cape Charles and Savage Neck Dunes NAPs.
Some of her other achievements include:
”In 20 years, Dot Field has made more than a lifetime's worth of conservation impact,” said DCR Natural Heritage Program Director Jason Bulluck. “She helped to conserve more than 3,000 acres of natural area preserves on the Shore. Dot has also sparked and fueled a passion for conservation in countless others, who will continue to multiply her impact through their own contributions to conservation and habitat restoration, outreach and education.”
Field plans to spend her retirement in Italy. Shannon Alexander, former planning director with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, has taken on the Eastern Shore Region Steward position.
Information about the Virginia Natural Heritage Program is available at www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage.
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Natural Heritage
