Deborah Hilbert

Deborah Hilbert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), where she conducts transdisciplinary research at the intersection of urban forestry, arboriculture, and socio-ecological systems.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida (2021)
• B.Sc. in Biology from Eckerd College (2013)
• B.A. in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College (2013)

Dr. Hilbert's research examines urban tree growth, species diversity, canopy cover assessments, and human decision-making within urban forests. She investigates sustainable management practices—including pruning, soil/water management, and fertilization—alongside ecological factors like ice loading effects on tree failure and long-term survival metrics. Her work emphasizes participatory approaches with practitioners to address real-world challenges in built environments.

She actively seeks prospective students for transdisciplinary projects focused on urban forest resilience, particularly in trialing underutilized tree species for diversity enhancement and analyzing policy impacts on urban canopy sustainability.