Research Interests
I am interested in how modern human societies affect and depend on ecosystems, how we value nature, and how we articulate such values. As a field ecologist, I have studied how trees and forests respond to disturbances like fire and insects and how factors like human land use and changing climate are affecting plants and forests. Most of my field research has been in ponderosa pine forests in Idaho and Montana, and in the chestnut oak and pitch pine forest communities along the rocky slopes, ridgelines and cliffs of the Shawangunks in New York. Finally, I am interested in the role of ecological science in the sustainable stewardship of ecosystems, with a special focus on protected wildlands and designated wilderness. 

Teaching
I am an associate professor in Biology at SUNY New Paltz, where I teach courses in general ecology, conservation biology, plant ecophysiology, global change biology, and human ecology. I also mentor undergraduate students in independent research projects in ecology and sustainability.

Education
BS – Conservation & Resource Studies, UC Berkeley
Senior Synthesis: Environmental Ethics

MM – Music Performance, San Diego State University
Masters of Music – Jazz Studies

PhD – Organismal Biology & Ecology, University of Montana
Dissertation: Wildfire responses and tree longevity in old-growth ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests.

Post-Doctoral Research – Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Culturally-Relevant Ecology and Environmental Science Literacy

Current CV
E – Keeling-CV SP 2023