B. Derrick Taff

Photo of Derrick Taff Associate Professor, Professor in Charge of Graduate Program, Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
Pennsylvania State University
Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Penn State University
801 Ford Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Email: bdt3@psu.edu
Phone: 970-227-2872

Visit B. Derrick's Research Website

Research Disciplines: Research Interests:

Communication strategies, human and visitor behavior, visitor-use management, parks and protected areas, Leave No Trace-based, human health, natural sounds and natural dark skies.


Biographical Sketch

As a conservation social scientist, I examine how communication strategies influence human behavior and, in particular, how they promote healthy human behaviors, and ultimately strong ecological values. I have established a program of research with three focal areas that inform visitor-use management in parks and protected areas globally: 1) communication strategies regarding Leave No Trace-based (LNT) minimum impact behaviors, 2) examining the relationship between protected areas and human health, and 3) human health in relation to natural sounds and natural dark skies.


Education

  • PhD: Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado
  • Master of Arts: American Studies, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama


Ongoing and Recent CESU Projects


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