headshot image of Dr. Brian Peterson

Dr. Brian Peterson

Brian is an Assistant Professor of Park Management and Conservation at Kansas State University. His applied research integrates social, spatiotemporal, geographic, and ecological data to understand human behavior and experiences within parks and protected areas. His research advanced the National Park Service’s ability to track overflights and design air tour management plans to reduce aircraft noise impacts to wildlife and terrestrial visitors’ experiences. Also, his research advanced understanding of the drivers and effects of recreation displacement caused by wildfire and drought at United States Forest Service lands. Additionally, he has conducted recreation ecology studies to understand how human-caused noise impacts bird populations and how natural acoustic environments boost visitors’ well-being.

“Leave No Trace is at the core of all my research.”

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