Futurists explore a range of possible and desirable future situations. Futurists develop foresight—insight into how and why the future could be different from today—and use foresight to make better decisions today.
Scientists need to be curious about the amazing world in which we live. Scientists need to be open to new ideas. Excellent written and spoken communication skills are also needed.
What are the main forces of change that will shape forestry and natural resources in the future? In the long term, outside drivers are important forces of change. Outside drivers include new technologies, economic trends, social and cultural change, and changes in the population.
Researching the future involves using a wide range of methods. I use methods like scenario planning, horizon scanning, and the futures wheel. These methods are used with diverse groups of people and help the people explore alternative futures. I also use computer software to visualize and analyze future impacts of change.
I completed a series of studies on how environmental values are changing over time. Ecosystem service values are one type of environmental value. Ecosystem service values show the importance people place on benefits humans receive from nature, like clean air and clean water. We discovered that ecosystem service values are growing in importance.
My love of nature started with exploring the woods near my parents‘ house, family camping trips, and Boy Scout adventures. In high school, I discovered “The Futurist” magazine and learned that there was a field of study called Futures Studies. Combining the environment with futures is my dream job!
