Conference Host

Conference Host

The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (Colorado State University)

The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) at Colorado State University is positioned to meet the 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. The Department offers an MS and PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, a Masters in Tourism Management, and an MS in Conservation Leadership; as well as graduate certificates in Adventure Tourism, Communications for Conservation and Ski Area Management. The Department is one of seven programs in the U.S. that offers a comprehensive Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral Program, and is home to the Center for Protected Area Management (CPAM). 

Colorado State University Warner College of Natural Resources Students visit CSU's Mountain Campus with HDNR Instructor, Paul Layden, and get a taste of their future studies, September 23, 2018.

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, our vision is to re-imagine learning and discovery to benefit both people and the natural world.

The Center for Protected Area Management (CPAM)

The Center for Protected Area Management (CPAM) is an outreach arm of the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.  Its team works to contribute to the conservation and effective and equitable management of the world’s protected areas and the landscapes and seascapes that connect them.  It does this through capacity building, applied research, and technical collaboration with the organizations that manage parks and protected areas and the communities whose well-being depends on them.  Covering over 15% of the world’s land surface and nearly 10% of its oceans, protected areas play a vital role in outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism and CPAM works globally to maximize the contribution of protected areas to sustainable and equitable outdoor recreation and nature based tourism opportunities around the world. Our work helps ensure that public use of parks and reserves helps fund conservation, builds  public and decision maker support for conservation, strengthens communities and enterprises that depend on nature based tourism and outdoor recreation for their livelihoods, and creates safe, enjoyable and memorable experiences for local, national and international visitors.  CPAM also works more broadly on planning and managing protected areas, equity and inclusion in protected areas, sustainable finance and governance, and developing leadership and technical capacity to manage protected areas.

Participants from the Center for Protected Area Management's Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas Seminar in front of Mormon Row (Grand Teton National Park).
Participants engaging on a project during CPAM's Ranger Training Program
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