Contact Us
School Programs
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Family Camps and Homeschool Programs
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University and Research Programs
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Road Scholar
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Community Outreach
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Custom Programs
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General Inquiries
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Scout Programs
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Professional Development
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Our Staff
Alverne W. Chesterfield (Chet) - Executive Director
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x108 Mr. Alverne W. Chesterfield (Chet) is the Executive Director here at Chincoteague Bay Field Station. Chet hails from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands where he graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School. He attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) where he received a BS degree in Business Administration. Chet received a MS from Wilmington University in Public Administration. He also has completed course work towards his PhD in Organizational Management at UMES. Upon completing his undergraduate, he immediately begun working at UMES as a Residence Counselor with the Office of Residence Life and later served as its Assistant Director. After working with Residence Life for 17 years, Chet moved over to the Division of Administrative Affairs to head up a new department – Auxiliary Enterprises. A year later he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Director of Auxiliary Enterprises. A very unique and creative individual, Chet turned Auxiliary into one of its most revenue generating areas. In 2013 Chet retired from UMES after working for 36 years. Since his retirement, Chet has spent time at Elizabeth City State University serving as a Consultant for its Auxiliary Services. He also enjoys working with the kids from his church where he cooks during its Thursday’s YES Program. Chet loves taking pictures and taking trips. In his work environment, he strongly believes to succeed it must be about “US” and not “I”. TEAMWORK is important for the success of the organization. |
Lexi Overdiek - Education Director
educationdirector@cbfieldstation.org | 757-824-5636 x110
Hi, I am Lexi! I moved here from Miami, FL from Graduate school at the University of Miami. I will be getting my Master's in Marine Conservation. I have my bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology. After graduating in 2019, I took two years off to work in the conservation field and I loved it. I have always been drawn to marine environments which is what led me to go back to school.
I love to be outside and be active. I played soccer in undergrad and have continued to play for fun since. One thing that I really love about working here is the abundance of knowledge about a variety of topics that is shared from other staff! Everyone has various things they are interested in, and it is a great place for knowledge to grow. In the local area, I enjoy going to the refuge and walking or birding (this is a new development, and it has been so cool to see new types of birds). I also enjoy going to different restaurants, especially during tourist season when more things are open.
educationdirector@cbfieldstation.org | 757-824-5636 x110
Hi, I am Lexi! I moved here from Miami, FL from Graduate school at the University of Miami. I will be getting my Master's in Marine Conservation. I have my bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology. After graduating in 2019, I took two years off to work in the conservation field and I loved it. I have always been drawn to marine environments which is what led me to go back to school.
I love to be outside and be active. I played soccer in undergrad and have continued to play for fun since. One thing that I really love about working here is the abundance of knowledge about a variety of topics that is shared from other staff! Everyone has various things they are interested in, and it is a great place for knowledge to grow. In the local area, I enjoy going to the refuge and walking or birding (this is a new development, and it has been so cool to see new types of birds). I also enjoy going to different restaurants, especially during tourist season when more things are open.
Claire Teachey - Program Coordinator
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x109 Hi, I'm Claire! I am originally from Eastern North Carolina and am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, I taught elementary school for a few years before coming to CBFS and getting involved with environmental education. I am a lover of all things outdoors and am so thankful that working at CBFS allows me to spend so much time outside! When I'm not working, I enjoy reading, cooking, and exploring the beach and trails on Assateague. |
Aimee Beardmore - Assistant Program Coordinator
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x106
Hi, I'm Aimee! I grew up in Southern Maryland on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, and have spent my whole life exploring our wetlands and their watersheds. After graduating from Towson University with my B.S. in Environmental Biology, I spent a year working at Assateague State Park with the Maryland Conservation Corps. I've since moved more towards environmental education, working as a teacher at an outdoor school, and an educator here at CBFS!
Working at CBFS is so much fun, and I love getting to spend so much time outdoors teaching people about our environment and the critters I love. I’m especially fond of herps like my own eastern painted turtle, Mr. Turtle.
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x106
Hi, I'm Aimee! I grew up in Southern Maryland on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, and have spent my whole life exploring our wetlands and their watersheds. After graduating from Towson University with my B.S. in Environmental Biology, I spent a year working at Assateague State Park with the Maryland Conservation Corps. I've since moved more towards environmental education, working as a teacher at an outdoor school, and an educator here at CBFS!
Working at CBFS is so much fun, and I love getting to spend so much time outdoors teaching people about our environment and the critters I love. I’m especially fond of herps like my own eastern painted turtle, Mr. Turtle.
Hayden Shepley - Assistant School Programs Coordinator
schoolprogramsac@cbfieldstation.org | 757-824-5636 x103 Hey there, I’m Hayden! I grew up and went to school in central Pennsylvania, where I received my degree in Wildlife Conservation. While my passions entail botany and marine sciences, my background and experiences are somewhat scattered- encompassing wildlife rehabilitation, maple sugaring, scuba diving, and even teaching English! Despite my varied background, or perhaps because of it, I have found my niche here at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station! I enjoy teaching about the unique ecosystems of the eastern shore, but I also love being able to impart an understanding and appreciation for the inhabitants within those ecosystems, whether it be snakes in the woods, crabs on the sea floor, or the birds that nest in our outdoor showers! |
Ashley Pulscak - University & Research Coordinator
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x105 My name is Ashley and I am the University and Research Coordinator. I grew up in Portland, Oregon and lived in the PNW for the first 22 years of my life. I have always loved nature and the outdoors, and in college I decided to focus my studies in marine biology. My favorite thing about working at the Field Station is learning everyday from CBFS staff, students, and Professors who make this place so great! No two days working here are the same, and I love exploring the unique and valuable ecosystems that make up the Eastern Shore. When I am not leading trips in the field or caring for our aquaria, you can find me swimming at the beach or exploring the refuge! |
Keke Bedson - University & Research Assistant Coordinator
[email protected] | 757-824-5636 x102 I'm Keke, the University and Research Assistant Coordinator! I grew up in upstate New York and went to school at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. I graduated in 2023 majoring in Marine Science Biology track. I also received two minors in Professional Writing and Geography with GIS Certificate. While I was acquiring my education I came to the Chincoteague Bay Field Station for summer classes and the year after did my internship here. I love living and working in this area because I'm surrounded by upstanding people and every day is an adventure. Summers here are my favorite because of how many people we have on campus, a full staff, camps, and college classes. Everyone genuinely wants to learn and be near the water. When I'm not working you'll usually find me at the gym, traveling to see my friends and family, or reading. My favorite sea creature probably changes every month (there are too many awesome options), but today it's a Striped Burrfish. |
John Besecker - Director of Facilities & Grounds
[email protected]
[email protected]
Matt Fenton - Food Service Manager
foodservice@cbfieldstation.org
foodservice@cbfieldstation.org
Kat Wescott - Receptionist
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[email protected]
In Loving Memory
Diane L. Lynch
Diane L. Lynch