Thomas D Sisk

I'm an ecologist working on the science and policy challenges that underlie conservation efforts during this period of rapid environmental change. My research group studies forest and grassland ecology, habitat connectivity and fragmentation, and how land use influences wildlife populations and ecological processes. While the diversity and beauty of nature inspires much of my work, the human side of conservation motivates my research into the social dimensions of environmental management, such as how science can empower diverse voices and how collaboration can improve dialog and shape public policy.

The learning that takes place at the intersection of science and society inspires my work as a professor and infuses my classes in ecology, conservation biology, and environmental policy. While my life and my work are grounded in the arid ecosystems of the American Southwest, I have worked across the continent and remain engaged in conservation efforts stretching from Central America to Canada. At NAU, I direct the Landscape Conservation Initiative, the Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology, and an interdisciplinary graduate program in Environmental Sciences and Policy, and I collaborate with many innovative organizations, including Conservation Science Partners, the Society for Conservation Biology, and the Grand Canyon Trust.