Join Dean of the Rubenstein School, Peter Newman, for a special UVM Weekend seminar on his research on US National Parks. Guests are welcome to pick up a donut and coffee in the Aiken Solarium and explore the Aiken Center before the seminar begins in Aiken 102 at 10am. Registration is encouraged to save a seat, however it is not required.

US national parks and related areas grapple with the perpetual challenge of balancing high numbers of visitors while simultaneously protecting the ecological and experiential values of a place. Dean Newman will discuss the scope of his research on this challenge, and he will focus on one aspect of visitor use: the ecological and experiential effects of anthropogenic noise and the protection of natural soundscapes. Dr. Peter Newman was appointed Dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources on July 1, 2024. He earned his Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont and his M.S. in Forest Resource Management from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry College. Peter’s research focuses on social carrying capacity decision-making in the context of protected areas management. He has conducted visitor use management studies in parks and protected areas within the United States and internationally.