Planning Committees
The organizations and people who bring Pathways to life.
Conference Co-Hosts
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is a state agency dedicated to managing, protecting, and conserving Florida’s diverse fish and wildlife resources to ensure their long-term well-being and benefit for people. The agency oversees hundreds of native species, regulates hunting and fishing, and manages millions of acres of public and private lands. Through scientific research, public education, and a dedicated division of law enforcement officers who patrol Florida’s woods and waterways, the FWC works to safeguard the state’s unique ecosystems for both wildlife and the millions of residents and visitors who enjoy the outdoors.
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations.
The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) at Colorado State University is positioned to meet complex challenges of natural resource management with a growing global population. We do this through understanding and attending to the needs and values of humans, human society and culture as they relate to the conservation and enjoyment of the natural environment. It is HDNR’s mission to empower people to explore and sustain their world. With HDNR’s belief in integrity, impact, diversity, innovation, sustainability, and well-being, the vision of the department is to re-imagine learning and discovery to benefit both people and the natural world.
The Department offers an MS and PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, and a Master of Conservation Leadership, as well as a graduate certificate in Communications for Conservation, in addition to an undergraduate degree in Conservation and Environmental Leadership, with concentrations in Conservation and Society or Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management.
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus sits on 52 waterfront acres along Bayboro Harbor in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Part of USF, a top-50 public university recently invited to join the Association of American Universities, the campus is home to USF’s College of Marine Science, and students head out on research vessels into the Gulf. USF is building a new Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching Facility on campus, focused on hurricanes, storm surge, and sea level rise.
Conference Co-Chairs
Chelsey Crandall
Pathways Co-ChairResearch Administrator II
Center for Conservation Social Science Research
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
David Kostersky
Pathways Co-ChairPrincipal Canadian Liaison
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Mike Manfredo
Pathways Co-ChairProfessor
Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Colorado State University
Heather O’Leary
Pathways Co-ChairAssociate Professor
Department of Anthropology
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Emily Schmieding
Conference and Event ManagerDepartment of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Colorado State University
Advisory Board
The Pathways 2027 team extends our deepest gratitude to the members of the Advisory Board for their continued support in making the 2027 conference a success. We thank you for your efforts in helping us continue our mission of increasing professionalism and effectiveness in the human dimensions of wildlife field!
Stay tuned! Our advisory board will be announced shortly.
Thank You to Our Previous Co-Chairs
Catherine HillSchool of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University
Dean SmithAssociation of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
David YoskowitzTexas Parks & Wildlife Department
Jenny GlikmanIESA-CSIC
Ashley DayerVirginia Tech
Dean SmithAssociation of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Maarten JacobsCultural Geography Group, Wageningen University
Jeff DavisWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Leela HazzahLion Guardians, Pride Lion Conservation Alliance
Eick von RushkowskiAlfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Conservation
Laurie MarkerCheetah Conservation Fund
Brett BruyereSamburu Youth Education Fund
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