My Story
I have always been passionate about the natural world. I loved bugs and frogs as a child, and built forts in the woods at my grandparent’s farmland in New York state. Serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa as a parks and environmental education volunteer sparked my commitment to community-based conservation. I have a PhD in Environmental Studies and have taught Environmental Studies for over 20 years, including at UNC Asheville, where I served as co-director of campus sustainability. I am co-chair of the IUCN Citizen Science Task Force and the Specialist Group for Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas. I have conducted research on sacred forests and protected areas in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Madagascar, Thailand, and India.
Alison OrmsbyI love the spirit and environmental commitment of Wilson students.
Education
- B.S. in Environmental Science, College of William & Mary
- M.S. in Environmental Studies, Yale University
- Ph.D. in Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England
Research Interests
- Biocultural Conservation
- Sustainability
- Protected areas
Courses Taught
- MCS 5120: Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience
Crews and Other Activities
- Co-Chair Asheville/Buncombe County Tree Protection Task Force
- Co-Chair IUCN Citizen Science Task Force
- Co-Chair IUCN Specialist Group for Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas