Zac Cole is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Florida with expertise in natural resource and environmental management. Central to his research are critical examinations of contemporary environmental management and policy paradigms with a geographic focus on the coastal zone. The coupling of social and ecological systems, ecosystem-based approaches to policy and management, spatial planning, and the measurement of environmental social values are represented. Public participation and stakeholder interest inclusion through environmental law and regulation is also within his realm of expertise. Beyond the field of environmental policy and planning, research also focuses on conservation planning and management of protected areas and inclusion of culturally-based, traditional ecological knowledge into contemporary management and planning frameworks.
The project presented here represents his dissertation work being supported by a collaborative agreement between the United States Geological Survey and Florida Sea Grant at the University of Florida. His dissertation advisory committee consists of Dr. Stephen Holland (chair), Dr. Holly Donohoe, Dr. Brijesh Thapa, and Dr. Robert Swett.
Key Themes:
Environmental Social Science, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Planning, Protected Area Management, Coastal Management, Stakeholder Inclusion, Indigenous Populations