Women in Landscape-Scale Conservation: Dorothy Borowy

Women's History Month

Conservation at landscape scales takes cooperation, patience, and people! In honor of Women's History Month in March, we want to highlight the work of influential women who dedicate their time and energy to protecting our cultural, recreational, and natural resources. 

How did you get started working in landscape-scale conservation?

I started working in landscape-scale conservation in graduate school, where I worked on several projects that focused on understanding how urban environments influence the distribution of plant communities in different areas. The goal of my research was to develop strategies for enhancing native biodiversity and ecosystem services at the scale of the city.

What does the term connected conservation mean to you?
Connected conservation means working with various individuals, organizations, and agencies in developing and achieving conservation goals. Landscape-level conservation requires an understanding of complex processes—such as the movement of water through a watershed, species distributions, and how entire ecosystems function—which don’t stop at the boundaries of a park. Successful conservation at this scale can, therefore, only be achieved through collaboration with landowners and experts in various fields.

Dorothy Bowory, PhD, is an Ecologist and Integrated Pest Management Coordinator.

Tell us about a project that you have worked on that you are especially proud of.

The National Capital Area has been working on expanding grassland conservation and restoration in the region. I’ve had the opportunity to work with our parks on developing several projects focused on this effort, including restoring a globally critically imperiled limestone glade ecosystem at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and working with a group of fantastic volunteers surveying plants and insects in Rock Creek Park’s largest meadow. These projects have been incredibly rewarding, and I’m looking forward to working on more grassland projects in the future.

If you could collaborate with anyone or any organization who would it be?
This is a tough question because there are many people and organizations I would be honored to work with! However, if I had to choose, I’d pick someone/an organization working in an innovative area of research and conservation. In particular, the field of evolutionary conservation, which merges understanding how species adapt to different environmental conditions with long-term conservation efforts, is both an exciting area of study and incredibly relevant in our rapidly changing world.

Any advice for women wanting to get into the field?

We are lucky to be living in a world where women no longer play a minor role in advancing the fields of ecology and conservation biology. Although there are still many challenges to overcome, women today have many more options and female role models to choose from. My advice to women interested in conservation is to put yourself out there and get involved! Networking and exposing yourself to different learning opportunities is the key to success in conservation, as it is in many fields. Before I began my journey, I volunteered with a conservation group in South Africa and at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where I had the opportunity to work with researchers on several amazing projects. The knowledge I gained from those experiences helped me realize my passion for ecology and conservation. And most importantly, the network of people (and friends) I built has been fundamental in helping me realize my goals and advance my career.

Women in Landscape Conservation