Jill Weiss

Dr. Jill Weiss is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF). She is also affiliated with the Graduate Program in Environmental Science and the ESF Adirondack Ecological Center. Her lab, the Weiss Lab, focuses on interdisciplinary environmental research and can be found at https://esfweisslab.weebly.com/. She collaborates on the ASANE Project, studying alpine stewardship, accessible at https://asaneproject.weebly.com/.

Education:

• PhD in Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England (2009–2016)
• MA in Environmental Conservation Education, New York University (2001–2003)
• BFA in Communications Design, Pratt Institute (1992)

Research Interests: Weiss specializes in the intersection of social science and conservation, emphasizing recreationist behavior, stewardship practices, and communication strategies. Her work addresses challenges in managing wilderness areas like the Adirondacks, focusing on governance of public open spaces, socio-ecological dynamics, and psychological aspects of environmental education. She employs methods from landscape ecology, assessment frameworks, and institutional analysis to inform policy and management decisions.

Articles Trends: Her recent work highlights empirical studies on visitor demographics and management strategies in high-use wilderness areas. She explores how adaptive frameworks like Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) and collaborative practices (e.g., community of practice models) can mitigate ecological pressures while balancing recreational access. Earlier publications delve into urban waterway restoration and conservation partnerships in New England, underscoring themes of equity and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Advising & Grants: Current advisees include Elysia Palmieri (PhD) and Alexsa Torres (MS). Active grants include USDA NIFA McIntire Stennis Program funding for trail user behavior studies and an NYS DEC-sponsored project on recreational intent. Pending grants focus on knowledge sharing among trail maintainers and podcast-based marine conservation education.

Labs & Teams: The Weiss Lab collaborates with the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Mountain Club, and Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies. The lab’s activities include trail monitoring, ecological impact assessments, and conservation communication initiatives. The ASANE Project unites stewardship programs across the Northeast to study alpine management practices.