M.S. Student
Dana Johnson is a M.S. student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a background in the social and natural sciences. She received her B.S. in Resource Conservation and Restoration Ecology at UIUC in 2018. Through her studies and professional experience, she has grown passionate about bridging the gap between the social and natural sciences to facilitate successful conservation plans. Using conservation psychology, behavior change science, and other natural and social sciences, Dana is interested in advancing applied nature conservation by integrating ecological and social drivers of change. Specifically, her research interests include understanding human-nature relationships to influence pro-environmental behavior. Particularly, her master’s work explores mending local knowledge and values with tourist and ecological values to foster comprehensive protected area management. Elements of Dana’s program of study include spatial dynamics of social values, social-ecological systems, sense of place, and facilitating pro-environmental behavior.