Derrick Taff is an Associate Professor in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Department at Penn State University. He has been involved with Leave No Trace research since 2009 and most recently, Derrick served as a visiting scholar with Leave No Trace. His research strives to improve communication strategies aimed at influencing human health and environmental sustainability in parks and protected areas. Much of his research has focused on Leave No Trace-based communication strategies and how to positively influence human perceptions and behaviors in a manner that promotes social and ecological well-being.

Derrick has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education and protected areas management research, with previous stints working for the National Park Service in Rocky Mountain National Park and at the Denver Service Center. He holds a PhD from Colorado State University in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, and a Master’s Degree in American Studies, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Wilderness Recreation from the University of Alabama.