Kristen C Nelson

Kristen C Nelson is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on governance of urban ecosystems, social drivers of vegetation management, beekeeper stewardship, and alternative futures for urban ecosystems. She teaches courses on environmental problem-solving, conflict management, and policy.

• PhD from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, School of Natural Resources and Environment
• External affiliation with Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
• Research spans social theories, individual behavior, and international governance

Dr. Nelson's research examines homeowner decision-making, low-input turf systems, and pollinator conservation. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges social networks, environmental justice, and ecological planning. Current projects include NSF-funded studies on urban homogenization and bee lawns, alongside USDA-supported work on sustainable land management.

She has received the H.T. Morse Distinguished Faculty Award and Newman Award for Undergraduate Teaching. Her publications analyze residential macrosystems, rotational grazing, and environmental risk assessment frameworks. Grants include NSF Macrobiosystems Collaborative Research and USDA Specialty Corps Research Initiative funding.