51ºÚÁÏ

Education

BS, Saint Mary’s College; MS, University of Notre Dame; MS, 51ºÚÁÏ; Ph.D, Clemson University

Bio

My major goal is to make nature study more relevant to a world in pain. At a time when human society needs healing, and the Earth is at a crisis point environmentally, I want to introduce the power of reciprocity (healing self by healing Earth). We live in a time of epidemics (obesity, depression, anxiety, addictions), but we have the power of healing within ourselves, if only we can access it. Time spent in nature can provide a healthier lifestyle. What is necessary for this to happen? Three things: love, an ever evolving knowledge of nature, and a sense of reciprocity. I have written a book on this topic (Understanding Nature: Ecology for a New Generation). I live it, I teach it, I help students experience it in Eco Club. I am on several boards and society committees that foster this effort. My academic background in ecology and psychology have provided the background that shapes this initiative.

Areas of Interest

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife management
• Ornithology
• Ecotherapy
• Ecopsychology
• Natural history

Selected Publications

• Weber, L. (2023) Teaching 4DEE Through the Lens of Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation (Portland, Oregon).
• Weber, L. (June 2023). Understanding Nature: Ecology for a New Generation.  CRC Press. This is an ecology textbook.
• Weber, L. (2020). An Ecologist’s Guide to Nature Activity for Healing. Ecopsychology 12: 231-235. 
• McKeon, S, L. Weber, A. Adams, T.L. Fleischner.  (2019). Human Dimensions:  Natural History as the Innate Foundation of Ecology. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 

Selected Presentations

• Weber, L. (2022). Radical Natural History, Ecology for a New Generation.  Ecological Society of American Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Montreal, Quebec).
• Weber, L. (2021). Teaching Forest and Grassland Biology, a One Semester Undergraduate Course. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Virtual format).
• Weber, L. (2020). Ecology for a New Generation, an Ecology Course that Teaches Students to be More Whole. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Virtual format).