Hey BWEEMS family! I’m Sharon Dorsey — birder, ecologist, educator, researcher, public speaker…and now, one of your four Social Media Ambassadors for Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science! I couldn’t be more excited to help tell the dynamic, diverse stories of our community and uplift the incredible work of Black women making waves in science.
As someone who’s built a career around connecting people to nature and amplifying its importance, it’s truly an honor to now help connect our stories to a broader audience and amplify the importance of representation in science fields. The first story to share is my own — it’s about time I introduce myself!
Baltimore Born, Nature Bound
I’m a proud resident of Baltimore, Maryland, and my fascination with animals and the outdoors started way before I had the vocabulary to explain it. My childhood curiosity about the natural world blossomed into a career centered around ecology, education, and conservation. The Greater Baltimore area — with its streams, parks, and surprisingly birdy urban greenspaces — is still one of my favorite places to explore.
These days, I love spotlighting the beauty and function of nature, especially in overlooked or under-appreciated areas. You don’t have to travel far to see something amazing. That message has become a foundation for the work I do.
Following the Science
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from George Mason University. My undergraduate research focused on urban wetlands — crucial ecosystems that serve as nature’s water filters and flood protectors. I studied how nitrogen enrichment and plant diversity impacted wetland development, using a system of 40 mesocosm plots (yes, I counted every stem!).
After GMU, I went on to complete a Master’s degree in Fish & Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech. I joined the Virginia Tech Shorebird Program where I studied the nesting behaviors of piping plovers — a small but mighty shorebird protected under the Endangered Species Act. My research focused on how these birds select nesting sites on the ever-changing beaches of Fire Island, New York. It was hands-on, often sandy, and deeply fulfilling work. These research experiences helped sharpen my skills in data collection, habitat assessment, and ecological storytelling — something I continue to use in both science and outreach today.
Education with Intention
Science means little if we’re not also building bridges to understanding. That’s why education and outreach has become such a passion of mine. I believe in meeting every learner where they are, and adapting my teaching to serve each audience with clarity and compassion. Whether I’m in a classroom, in the field, or in front of a camera, my goal is to spark curiosity and make the natural world feel personal.
One of my favorite projects has been volunteering with the Humble Hikes Program in Roanoke, VA — a program that introduces Black youth to outdoor adventures. Not only did I serve as a hike chaperone, but I also helped evaluate the program’s impact on the participant’s attitudes towards environmental stewardship, confidence, and connection to place. It was powerful to see how these outdoor experiences planted real seeds of change.
Community at the Core
From mentoring local students to serving as aboard member for nonprofit organizations, I’m all about investing in the communities that raised me. Since concluding my involvement with Humble Hikes and moving back to Baltimore, I’ve been able to volunteer my time supporting Backyard Basecamp’s Weeds2Woods program. In this effort, we’re building a pipeline for BIPOC youth to gain hands-on experience in environmental careers. I’ve also taught nature-based art, gardening, and exploration with the Baltimore Forest School, and led nature walks as a Community Engagement Intern at Patuxent Research Refuge in central Maryland.
Community partnerships have allowed me to expand my reach to new populations, such as Washington, D.C. Building a relationship with organizations like Black Girl Environmentalist gave me the opportunity to lead several programs with their membership, and connect withmore young women interested in environmental science. These roles allow me to bring science directly to the people — especially to young folks who might not otherwise see themselves reflected in the field. Because representation isn’t just powerful — it’s necessary.
Telling Our Own Stories
Promoting representation in the field of wildlife conservation is so important to me, I decided to get WAY out of my comfort zone. In graduate school, I decided to turn the camera on myself and document my fieldwork as a budding biologist. That project became “Black in Conservation”, a short film I created and screened on campus at Virginia Tech to spark dialogue about race, identity, and inclusion in the environmental field. The experience of sharing my story — and hearing others — showed me how transformative storytelling can be.
Another storytelling project arose from an invitation to participate as a contributor a collaborative book project — Been Outside: Adventure of Black Women, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming People in Nature. The story I wrote was a fictional one, but inspired by real-life events of meeting Black high-level professionals in the U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service and being re-inspired to pursue a conservation career because of this interaction. Several other stories touch on topics of self-discovery, personal growth, and blazing new paths.
Now, as a BWEEMS Social Media Ambassador, I want to keep that momentum going. I’ll be highlighting the voices, visions, and victories of Black women in science — from seasoned researchers to students just starting out. If you’ve got a story to tell, I’m ready to listen, amplify, and share it with the world.
Let’s Grow Together
My journey in science hasn’t always been easy, especially when I didn’t see others who looked like me. But through mentorship, community, and organizations like BWEEMS, I’ve been able to claim my space and help create space for others.
As we continue to grow this movement together, I hope to inspire joy, curiosity, and confidence in every Black woman who wonders if there’s a place for her in this field. Trust me — there is, and we’re just getting started!
