Fellowship Leverages Professor’s Conservation Science and Policy Work

The nonprofit RESTORE: The North Woods recently awarded Susan Masino, Vernon Roosa Professor of Applied Science, a fellowship to collaborate on interests that align science and policy.

RESTORE: The North Woods publicizes its mission front and center online: “Create Parks, Save Forests, Protect Wildlife.” What do you pursue?

RESTORE: The North Woods awarded me a fellowship to collaborate on common interests that align science and policy and benefit everyone. Perhaps most exciting, their vision includes a New National Park in every state. I’m honored to receive a fellowship that is a perfect match with my interest in and passion for nature, brain health, and natural stewardship of some of our most important forests. We have collaborated in the past and they have followed my publications on pro-forestation, and on climate, ecology, and health.

What attracted you to this opportunity?

When I was a research fellow at Harvard University on Forests and Brain Health in 2018- 2019 I saw that I can be a bridge among science, policy, and community, particularly when it comes to nature, mental health, and protecting critical natural areas. People do not understand that most likely the land they love—even public land—is not protected in the way they think it is. It’s a major source of grief when it is lost.

I only became aware of the lack of protection for nature herself in the past 10 years or so. And, after working on major reports, in 2020 for the State of Connecticut, and more recently on a regional report titled “Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future,” I realized this elephant will remain in the room due to siloed expertise and conflicts of interest. RESTORE: The North Woods is far ahead of most conservation groups and even universities with a bold vision that is thrifty, positive, and clear, and has never been more urgent.

The timing of this fellowship is also perfect: it aligns with my ongoing work as the Hartford County coordinator of the Old Growth Forest Network, a board member of Aton Forest in Norfolk, CT, and a collaborator with the Olmsted Network, to name a few. Just prior to the Trinity College Bicentennial in 2023 we celebrated the bicentennial of the birth of [landscape architect] Frederick Law Olmsted, who was born in Hartford, and influenced our campus. Olmsted is best known for designing Central Park but he was truly visionary in his support of nature and health—especially brain health—and deeply committed to democracy, and appreciative of mystery and beauty. Olmsted had a deep appreciation for the complexity and power of nature for science, mystery, and art, and his vision was the basis for the 1916 Organic Act, which established the National Park System. These are all examples of how we need to lift up aspirational values that foster compassion and creativity.

What energizes you to write about conservation efforts for the public? 

I have always been focused on brain health: without good brains, we can’t take care of each other and make good decisions. Brain health is about treatment but primarily about prevention—avoiding toxins and injuries, and about physiological and metabolic health—nutrient-dense foods, sun, clean air and water, good sleep, social support. Our public policies should prioritize brain health.

More recently, in parallel I realized that making good decisions about our land and water is foundational, locally, nationally, and globally. Without this, nothing is “sustainable.” Unfortunately, people making really big decisions about the fate of our natural heritage have little expertise in biology or ecology—or have some kind of conflict of interest. Instead of identifying how and where we should protect nature herself we focus on “nature-based” solutions and “restoring” nature—both solutions that are based on short-term human demands or rewards rather than the long-term health of natural systems.

As an educator, and a scientist, I know that the first thing we should do is prevent accidents. Leaving the entire natural landscape open to various forms of human manipulation and resource extraction is dangerous for everything and everyone in the future. A strategic plan for New National Parks is a powerful solution that addresses multiple needs. They still leave ample space for housing, renewable energy, forestry, farming, playgrounds, etc. We cannot forget that nature is not optional—she works for everyone, and she bats last!

What was the most meaningful part of this fellowship?

What is meaningful and energizes me is the clarity of purpose and the urgency of waking people up to the gap between our policies and the ongoing destruction of our common lifeline of nature. We need to stop disturbing and degrading key pieces of nature around the planet that are functioning or recovering. There is currently no meaningful local, state, regional, or national plan for this right now. But we can start by protecting and promoting the recovery of natural systems on some of our public land, and this can and must be addressed with science and compassion. This work extends into every community.

The other meaningful part of this fellowship is learning from humble people who have spent their lives constantly learning and listening, reading science and policy, and doing everything they can to save at least some of our natural heritage from relentless manipulation and privatization. This was also Olmsted’s lodestar. He wanted nature for everyone. It’s meaningful and exciting to work on a big, positive vision for new National Parks, just in time for the nation’s 250^th anniversary in 2026.

Where do you see this going in the future?

Along with Michael Kellett of RESTORE, I was recently part of an international conference titled “Embracing Nature’s Complexity: How to Communicate the Value of Water- and Climate-Regulating Ecosystems.” The power and ability of the biota, i.e. life on earth, and especially forests, to act as a powerful buffer system that forms clouds, moves water across land, and prevents escalating climate instability is not well accounted for in our climate models. This needs a lot more interdisciplinary and international attention, without conflicts of interest.

In parallel I have been working with students and with organizations like Park Watershed, Keney Park Sustainability Project, the Olmsted Network, and multiple garden clubs in the area. Suffice it to say that a lot of constituencies are excited about a positive vision for new National Parks in honor of the nation’s 250^th anniversary. So stay tuned. Key pieces of nature in and near cities, and bigger pieces across the landscape, are essential for the health and well-being of all species—human and non-human.