Student Spotlight: Ryan Roberts

Ryan received his PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at CSU in May. His dissertation was focused on assessing the role of scientific evidence in the decision-making processes of collaborative watershed partnerships throughout the Intermountain West region. These watershed groups invest in wildfire mitigation treatments as a risk reduction strategy to avoid the negative impacts catastrophic wildfires can have on watersheds. Specifically, Ryan assessed how groups use scientific evidence to justify making investments and decide on specific wildfire treatments to employ, as well as what scientific information they relay back to their stakeholders and the public.

After graduating, Ryan briefly worked as a consultant for the National Park Service’s Climate Change Response Program. His project was focused on assessing the status of climate change interpretation across the National Park System. Ryan recently accepted a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fort Collins as a conservation social scientist. Through this position, he will be leading a long-term visitor management program throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System. In the future, Ryan is specifically interested in conducting large-scale feasibility analyses or impact evaluations to assess the efficacy of conservation finance programs that invest in water and other natural resource conservation initiatives. If you would like to learn more about Ryan’s research and interests, please explore his LinkedIn page or email him at ryanmroberts616@gmail.com.