Wilderness
Learn more about wilderness benefits, wilderness protection and preservation, wilderness recreation, and more with a variety of Natural Inquirer resources. Browse by topic, grade band, and resource type.
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Forests & PlantsNancy Falxa Sonti, Urban Forest Ecologist
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- An urban forest ecologist studies the interactions between trees, people, and their environment in the city.
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- An urban forest ecologist studies the interactions between trees, people, and their environment in the city.
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Forests & PlantsJohn Schelhas, Forester & Anthropologist
- Ph.D., University of Arizona
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A forester/anthropologist studies the diversity of ways that people talk about, value, and use trees and forests.
- Ph.D., University of Arizona
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A forester/anthropologist studies the diversity of ways that people talk about, value, and use trees and forests.
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Forests & PlantsEvan Mercer, Forest Economist
- Ph.D., Duke University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A forest economist uses the tools of economic analysis to study the interactions between people and forests relating to forest conservation and management.
- Ph.D., Duke University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A forest economist uses the tools of economic analysis to study the interactions between people and forests relating to forest conservation and management.
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FireForests & PlantsCassandra Johnson Gaither, Natural Resource Sociologist
- Ph.D., University of Georgia
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A natural resource sociologist looks at humans and their relationship to the natural world.
- Ph.D., University of Georgia
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A natural resource sociologist looks at humans and their relationship to the natural world.
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Forests & PlantsWildlifeViniece Jennings, Biological Scientist
- Ph. D., Florida A&M University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A biological scientist explores the interaction between the natural systems (e.g. living and nonliving) and humans.
- Ph. D., Florida A&M University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A biological scientist explores the interaction between the natural systems (e.g. living and nonliving) and humans.
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Ken Cordell, Social Scientist
- Ph.D., North Carolina State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A social scientist studies people’s values, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes (VOBAs). The social sciences include economics, anthropology, and a number of other disciplines, each of which has its own background and approaches to studying VOBAs.
- Ph.D., North Carolina State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A social scientist studies people’s values, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes (VOBAs). The social sciences include economics, anthropology, and a number of other disciplines, each of which has its own background and approaches to studying VOBAs.
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Patty Champ, Environmental Economist
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- Environmental economics uses economic concepts to study natural resources and the environment. Within this broad area of study, I am interested in peoples’ preferences and how people make trade-offs related to the environment.
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- Environmental economics uses economic concepts to study natural resources and the environment. Within this broad area of study, I am interested in peoples’ preferences and how people make trade-offs related to the environment.
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Forests & PlantsDavid Bengston, Environmental Futurist
- Ph.D., University of Minnesota
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- Futurists explore a range of possible desirable future situations. Futures develop foresight – insight into how and why the future could be different from today – and use foresight to make better decisions today.
- Ph.D., University of Minnesota
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- Futurists explore a range of possible desirable future situations. Futures develop foresight – insight into how and why the future could be different from today – and use foresight to make better decisions today.
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CareerForests & PlantsUpekala Wijayratne, Ecologist
- Ph.D., Oregon State University
- USDA Forest Service
- I am a scientist working at the intersection of research and management, applying what we learn from research to land management.
- Ph.D., Oregon State University
- USDA Forest Service
- I am a scientist working at the intersection of research and management, applying what we learn from research to land management.
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CareerJessica Dunn, Landscape Architect & Recreation Planner
- M.L.A., M.F.A., University of New Mexico
- USDA Forest Service
- A Forest Service landscape architect uses science and art to plan, design, build, and manage recreation opportunities on our national forests. They design spaces for people to connect to nature and create memories on public lands.
- M.L.A., M.F.A., University of New Mexico
- USDA Forest Service
- A Forest Service landscape architect uses science and art to plan, design, build, and manage recreation opportunities on our national forests. They design spaces for people to connect to nature and create memories on public lands.
