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,
ENVM 5031 - Contemporary Issues in U.S. Public Lands Policy and Management
Primary Instructor
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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
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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
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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
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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 5000 - Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025 / Spring 2026
In this course, the outdoor recreation economy is viewed holistically. Content in this course provides an introduction to public lands and natural resources policy, challenges and opportunities for community economic development, and the outdoor recreation industry. Discuss and critically examine Outdoor Recreation Economy definitions, theories, and frameworks and explore the diverse career opportunities that exist within the outdoor recreation industry. Key stakeholders are identified, along with current and future trends, opportunities, and challenges. The need for sustainable practices and cross-cultural understanding and communication within the outdoor recreation economy is also emphasized. Finally, we will explore the diverse career opportunities that exist within the outdoor recreation industry.
OREC 5003 - Outdoor Recreation Project Tools and Skills
Primary Instructor
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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
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Fall 2022 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
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
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Summer 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
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
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Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024 / Summer 2025
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
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Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024 / Summer 2025
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
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Fall 2023 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024 / Summer 2025
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 5018 - Community and Place Matters
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Explore the towns and communities that nurture and develop outdoor recreation businesses and amenities. Compare how communities provide a place for people to live, as well as the necessary infrastructure, resources and supporting facilities and services that make communities great places to live, work, visit and recreate. Examine the structure and organization of communities and the role of government and governance. Learn how the engagement and participation of community members in decision-making through democratic processes can influence the development of the outdoor recreation economy and community economic development outcomes.
OREC 5025 - Inclusivity and Belonging in the Outdoor Recreation Economy Project Course
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2025
In this course, students apply the concepts, knowledge, and skills gained in the other courses within this certificate to complete a real-world project. Students analyze, research, develop and implement innovative strategies, processes and designs, and solutions as relevant to the outdoor recreation economy. This course has an experiential foundation and requires collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
OREC 5030 - Concepts and Practice in the Outdoor Recreation Economy: Project Course
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
In this course, which is experiential and workshop-driven, students will apply the concepts, knowledge, and skills gained in the other courses through their degree to complete an applied project with an external project partner. Students will analyze, research, develop, and implement innovative strategies, processes, and/or solutions to a defined problem related to the Outdoor Recreation Economy. This course will require collaboration with an external organization, a teammate(s), and ORE instructors. May be repeated up to 8 total credit hours.
OREC 6100 - Special Topics for Outdoor Recreation Economy
Primary Instructor
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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.
