People
Principal Investigator
Dr. Sarah Castle
Assistant Professor, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Ph.D. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
M.Sc. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
I am an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist focused on nature-based solutions and understanding the social-ecological dynamics that shape the success of conservation and development actions. My research focuses on forests and agroforestry systems to advance knowledge of their contributions to climate change, sustainable livelihoods, and conservation. My research is fundamentally driven by the question how can we support the expansion of climate smart agricultural and forestry practices in a way that benefits both people and the environment.
My research approach lies at the intersection of environmental social science and data science drawing from political and environmental sciences, economics, sociology, and geography and remote sensing. My research projects have included synthesizing literature on the impacts of agroforestry policies and practices and conducting holistic assessments of the potential to expand agroforestry in the US Midwest using geospatial analysis, modeling, and qualitative data. My research currently focuses on integrating remotely sensed data into forest policy evaluation, including in Voluntary Carbon Markets. Broadly, I focus on applied research investigating the relationships between human development, land cover and land cover change, and conservation policies to inform policy decisions that can benefit people and the environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, biking, reading outdoors, and exploring with my partner and child. In switching from engineering to environmental science, I spent a few years at Green Gulch Farm in California. I still love maintaining my little garden at home!
Postdocs
Dr. Samantha Bosco
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Samantha Bosco (she/they) is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Bosco’s mixed-methods research investigates agroforestry (farming with trees) adoption in the upper Midwest as a social practice mediated by land manager decision making, farming networks, institutions, and policies. She also currently co-leads an effort to map and support agroforestry demonstration sites across the US with the Savanna Institute. Prior to UW–Madison, Bosco led community-based mixed-methods agroforestry research with the US Forest Service National Agroforestry Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension and at the Skaru:re (Tuscarora) Nation. Her transdisciplinary dissertation (Cornell University, ’22) examined the past, present, and future role of temperate nut trees for Haudenosaunee Food Sovereignty and commercial nut growers in New York State. During her PhD, she was awarded the Social Justice award from the Cornell University Office of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Botany in Action Fellowship from the Phipps Conservancy.
Graduate Students
Luke Briccetti
Visiting Scholar, PhD Candidate at University of Vermont
Luke Briccetti is a PhD candidate in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, a Gund Institute of Environment student fellow, and a visiting student in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. He received his B.S. from Tufts University and his M.S. in Natural Resources & Ecology from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he worked with the Lake Champlain Research Institute at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Luke is broadly interested in research that uses social science to discover equitable pathways to address environmental problems. His research takes a social-ecological systems (SES) approach to understanding how hydrological system management decisions – including for flood mitigation action, beaver management, and stream crossing management practices – are shifting in response to global change factors. He aspires to ask questions that can improve community resilience in the face of climate change, both within Vermont and beyond.
Luke’s interests include fishing, foraging, and being in wild spaces as often as possible!
Cole Seither
PhD Student, Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Cole Seither is a PhD Student in the Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods Lab, advised by Dr. Sarah Castle. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Agroecology at the University of California, Santa Cruz and is broadly interested in the social and ecological benefits of sustainable food systems. In his coming doctoral work, he intends to focus on questions related to scaling local and sustainable food systems, farmer motivations and behavior change, and the diverse benefits that may follow from broad agricultural land use and land cover change. When not working, you’re most likely to find Cole in his kitchen.
Aubrey Broz
Master’s Student, Agroecology Program
Aubrey Broz is a Nelson Institute and Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Studies Master’s student pursing degrees in Water Resources Management and Agroecology. She received her B.A. in Environmental Science with a focus in conservation from Carthage College.
Currently, Aubrey is completing research on Okee Bay and Spring Creek located in Lodi, WI. Her focus revolves around invasive species and shoreland management, as well as a broad watershed assessment connecting the impacts on water quality and sediment loads. Aubrey’s other research interests include historical and modern socio-economic drivers that impact small to medium-scale farming and their ability to implement sustainable practices. As well as how long-standing socio-economic systems continue to play a role in the relationship between the consumer and the producer.
Outside of academia, Aubrey enjoys spending time with her cat, being outdoors, running and creating art.
Lydia Pulsinelli
Master’s Student, Agroecology Program
Lydia Pulsinelli (she/they) is a first-year Master’s student in Agroecology, co-advised by Dr. Sarah Castle and Dr. Claudia Irene Calderón. Her research aims to focus on Latin American agroforestry systems, and how social, economic, and political factors affect conservation practices in programs like bird-friendly coffee production.
Lydia graduated from UW-Madison with a B.S. in Horticulture, with certificates in Food Systems, Art History, and Theatre. These wide-ranging areas of study inspired Lydia’s love of interdisciplinary thinking, which they carry into their agroecology studies.
In their free time, Lydia enjoys biking, birding, D&D, and drinking tea.
Undergraduate Students
Grace Brazee
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Grace is currently a junior studying Forest Science. Her favorite aspect of the Sustainable Landscapes & Livelihoods Lab is investigating agroforestry and sustainable agricultural processes.
Ava Erickson
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Ava is a current sophomore majoring in Wildlife Ecology. She is excited to be a part of research revolving around agroforestry, pollinators, biodiversity, and sustainability.