Ryan W. Taylor

Ryan W. Taylor is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Environmental Studies in the School of Natural and Social Sciences at Purchase College, SUNY. He is a leading interdisciplinary scholar in environmental policy and wetland regulation, with a strong emphasis on GIS applications and socio-ecological systems. Dr. Taylor also serves as the campus-wide faculty advisor for the accelerated BA/MPA program at the University at Albany-SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

• BS, Mount Vernon Nazarene College
• MA, University of Illinois
• PhD, Oregon State University

Dr. Taylor's research integrates natural and social sciences to address complex environmental challenges. His primary interests include environmental policy implementation, GIS in natural resource management, wetland restoration, fluvial geomorphology, and intergovernmental relations in environmental governance. He is particularly known for his work on federalism in wetland regulation, where he demonstrates how redundancy between state and federal programs can enhance regulatory effectiveness.

His recent publications and presentations reveal a strong trend toward applied geospatial modeling, ecological impact assessment, and interdisciplinary environmental education. Themes such as beaver reintroduction effects, nutrient bio-extraction in aquaculture, and bathymetric lake studies highlight his technical expertise and practical approach to environmental problem-solving.

Scientific awards include:

• 2016 Purchase College Guiding Light Award for student mentorship
• 2016 US National Park Service Merit Award for public service
• 2011 Friends of the Great Swamp Service Award for Ecological Research
• 2010 Lucille Werlinich Endowment for environmental studies research
• 2009 Robert O. Fehr Research Professor of Environmental Science
• 2008 US Bureau of Land Management Outstanding Service Award

Dr. Taylor is deeply committed to student mentorship, regularly guiding advisees into GIS-focused internships and graduate programs in environmental policy, urban planning, law, and natural resource management. He has led numerous continuing education programs and professional workshops on GIS and wetland science. He has also secured research funding, including the Lucille Werlinich Endowment, and has been recognized for both research and teaching excellence.

His work bridges academia and public practice, reflecting a 'revolving-door' career in environmental planning and policymaking across federal, state, and local government agencies. He frequently presents at national and international conferences and has designed professional training programs on wetland management and geospatial technologies.