Scientific research, from recreation ecology to the sociology of parks to the economic dynamics of recreation-fueled growth, plays an essential role in informing trail and park management. Engage with a panel of local scientists, from UVM’s Rubenstein School of Natural Resources and [placeholder?], to explore the latest recreation research in Vermont and New England. Discover how you can leverage these insights to bolster your work in your local communities and how fostering partnerships with scientists can help you achieve shared objectives. Engaging with this research not only enhances management practices but also contributes to sustainable and enjoyable outdoor experiences for all.
Learning Objectives:
Learn about what type of research is happening in Vermont
Connect with scientists doing recreation-based research in Vermont and New England
Learn strategies and pathways for partnering with recreation researchers
Presenters:
Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Claire works with a wide variety of recreation partners and agency staff to support and improve outdoor recreation across Vermont. She has work experience in recreation management, communications, and program development as well a BA in Environmental Studies from Middlebury College and an MS in Natural Resources from the Ecological Planning program at UVM. She started working with FPR in 2022. When she’s not working, she particularly enjoys riding, gliding, and tromping through the woods, tending her garden, drinking strong coffee, and reading good books.
Monika Derrien, Assistant Professor, University of Vermont
Monika Derrien teaches in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program in the Rubenstein School for Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. She is a qualitative social scientist focusing on outdoor recreation planning and management on public lands, and its implications for human health and wellbeing. Her current research focuses on unsheltered homelessness in parks and protected areas. Prior to arriving at UVM, Monika worked as a research social scientist for the USDA Forest Service. She was born and raised in New York City.
Peyton Heisch, Graduate Student, University of Vermont
Peyton Heisch is a master's student in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. Her interest sits at the intersection of community organizing, systems change, and applied research. She is interested in how research can support communities in understanding and addressing complex social and environmental challenges, particularly when research stems from community voices and contributes to collective action and local decision-making. Currently, she is examining how mountain bike tourism and lodging demand influence local housing dynamics. Before coming to UVM, she worked as a Community-Based Research Sustainability Manager at Augustana College in Illinois.
Namrata Khatiwada, Graduate Student, University of Maine
Namrata Khatiwada is a master’s student in Forest Resources and a graduate research assistant at the University of Maine. Her research interests include the human dimensions of natural resources, outdoor recreation, and resource planning. Her current research examines the vulnerability of trails to extreme weather events across the Northern Forest region. She plans to develop a GIS-based trail vulnerability index and compare it with field-documented trail damage data. Her work also explores how extreme weather events influence recreationists’ decisions to visit destinations, participate in planned outdoor activities, and maintain connections to those places. Namrata is originally from Nepal, where she previously worked as a Conservation Education Assistant at WWF Nepal. Outside academia, she is a founder of the Forestry Youth Network, a youth-led environmental organization.
Evan Griffis, Graduate Student, University of Maine
Evan Griffis is a master’s student in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. He is interested in integrating ecological and social science to inform the management and development of recreational trail systems. His current research embraces this by examining how trail building affects forest bird communities and analyzing the factors that influence trail user support for wildlife-friendly trail design. Before studying at the University of Maine, Evan received his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University and worked seasonal jobs across the continent in both wildlife research and recreation. He grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.