Human Dimensions of Conservation & Coexistence

Conservation is a fundamentally social process, and my work examines the human dimensions of conservation to understand how values, attitudes, and behaviors shape conservation outcomes. With the return of large predators to landscapes in the American West, I have recently focused this body of work on the challenges of shared space between recovering predator populations, local residents, and livestock producers. Much of my research centers on the experiences of ranchers and other land stewards, exploring how coexistence practices—such as range riding and other nonlethal deterrents—intersect with broader social and ecological change to inform more effective and inclusive management and conservation strategies.