
Karen T. Dietrich
MSc student, Natural Resource and Environmental Studies, UNBC
I am a MSc student in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia, where I am part of the Conservation Solution Lab research group. My graduate research examines the process of systematic conservation planning to determine the effect of focal area extent on the selection of priority areas, and to quantify the relationships between (and concordance within) local, regional, and broad landscape assessments.
My interest in large landscape research was piqued while working for private land conservation nonprofits in New York’s
Hudson Valley, where I saw the value of working collaboratively to achieve local and regional conservation goals. I became interested in the analytical tools that inform the priorities which guide these organizations. I have since pursued a research direction at the intersection of public lands and private conservation.
I am a researcher in the Climate Adaptive Planning for British Columbia project. My role requires me to coordinate and synthesize the priorities and data needs of the Solution Seeker organizations. My background in land trusts allows me to take the perspective of the Solution Seekers and translate it through to make CAP-BC a successful tool.