Lawhon, Lydia

Research

research overview

Dr. Lydia Lawhon has nearly two decades of experience working on natural resource management issues in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and Colorado.

keywords

natural resources management and policy, local citizen and stakeholder engagement in policy processes, coalition dynamics, environmental studies pedagogy, experiential learning,

Publications

selected publications

journal article
- Do Disasters Lead to Learning? Financial Policy Change in Local Government. The Review of Policy Research. 564-589. 2018
- Remembering the Past, Anticipating the Future: Community Learning and Adaptation Discourse in Media Commemorations of Catastrophic Wildfires in Colorado. Environmental Communication: a journal of nature and culture. 132-147. 2018
- A Narrative Policy Framework Analysis of Wildfire Policy Discussions in Two Colorado Communities. Politics and Policy. 626-656. 2017
- Local media coverage of wildfire disasters: An analysis of problems and solutions in policy narratives. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 849-871. 2017
- Wildfire Outreach and Citizen Entrepreneurs in the Wildland-Urban Interface: A Cross-Case Analysis in Colorado. Society and Natural Resources. 918-923. 2015

Teaching

courses taught

ENVM 5031 - Contemporary Issues in U.S. Public Lands Policy and Management
Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
Examines critical and emerging issues on public lands across the U.S. today. Following an overview of the structure of public lands management, including federal land management designations and agencies and major laws and policies relevant to public lands management, we will transition into issue-based discussions of challenges facing public lands management. Previously offered as a special topics course. Recommended requisite: ENVS 5701.
ENVM 6100 - Special Topics for Master of the Environment Program
Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021
A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.
ENVM 6101 - Special Topics for Master of the Environment Program
Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.
ENVS 5701 - Policy, Politics and Management: Foundations
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Examines concepts related to policy and regulatory processes, institutions and management of the environment and natural resources. Explores environmental laws at the international, national, state and local levels as well as how the processes and institutions at various levels of government help shape laws and their implementation. Focuses on policy tools including property rights, regulation, voluntary compliance and market-based mechanisms.
OREC 5003 - Outdoor Recreation Project Tools and Skills
Primary Instructor - Summer 2022
Project management skills are critical for anyone wanting to lead sustainable change. In this course, students will learn to assume responsibility for ensuring overall success of a project given an array of challenges with a focus on projects related to the outdoor industry. They will learn to apply their skill and knowledge, both of project management best practices as well as of team leadership, to ensure the successful progression and completion of the undertaking at hand. This remote, synchronous course will integrate project management concepts, knowledge, and skills to provide the foundational knowledge and a working understanding of project management processes, systems, tools, and leadership. Recommended restriction: restricted to Outdoor Recreation Economy students.

OREC 5005 - Issues in Public Lands
Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2024
Explore the historical legacy, present controversies, and the projected future of public lands. Review the role that federal, tribal, state, and local governments play in the management of public lands and develop an understanding of the statutes governing public lands management and agency actions. Apply analytical lenses to understanding the drivers of conflict over public lands management using examples of place-based case studies, such as Bears Ears National Monument and the roadless rule in the Tongass National Forest. Learn from guest lectures with practitioners on current issues in public lands management, including the balance between outdoor recreation and conservation, inclusive access for all, and tribal consultation.

OREC 5006 - Issues in Natural Resources Management
Primary Instructor - Summer 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Address the challenge of managing natural resources within the increasingly complex context of climate change and development, while balancing diverse and competing values. Explore case studies across topics and geographies and apply theoretical and practical policy tools to address problems of natural resource policy and management for just and durable outcomes.

OREC 5007 - Public Lands and Natural Resources Policy Project
Primary Instructor - Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
The project course represents a culmination of the certificate where students apply the skills and knowledge gained from certificate subject courses to address current policy, business, or community development challenges in the outdoor recreation economy. Students have the opportunity to analyze, research, develop, and implement innovative strategies, processes and solutions on an experiential project related to public lands and natural resources policy in the outdoor recreation economy. Students work collaboratively with colleagues and may engage stakeholders. Recommended restriction: restricted to Outdoor Recreation Economy students.

OREC 5011 - Outdoor Recreation Economy Community Economic Development Project
Primary Instructor - Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
The project course represents a culmination of the certificate where students apply the skills and knowledge gained from certificate subject courses to address current policy, business, or community development challenges in the outdoor recreation economy. Students have the opportunity to analyze, research, develop, and implement innovative strategies, processes and solutions on an experiential project that addresses current community economic development challenges and/or opportunities resulting from the outdoor recreation economy. Students work collaboratively with colleagues and may engage stakeholders. Recommended restriction: restricted to Outdoor Recreation Economy students.

OREC 5014 - Outdoor Recreation Business Project
Primary Instructor - Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
The project course represents a culmination of the certificate where students apply the skills and knowledge gained from certificate subject courses to address current policy, business, or community development challenges in the outdoor recreation economy. Students have the opportunity to analyze, research, develop, and implement innovative strategies, processes and solutions on an experiential project related to current leadership and/or sustainability challenges resulting from the outdoor recreation economy within specific businesses. Students work collaboratively with colleagues and may engage stakeholders. Recommended restriction: restricted to Outdoor Recreation Economy students.

OREC 6100 - Special Topics for Outdoor Recreation Economy
Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.

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Background

education and training

Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder 2016
M.S., Yale University 2003
B.A., Dartmouth College 2001

Other Profiles

ORCID iD

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7579-199X

ResearchGate

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lydia_Lawhon

VIVO

Positions

Research Areas