Community Capacity and Resilience

Lighthouse Next to a House - Areas of Research -Parks Recreation and Tourism Management NC State

Planning for the Future

Human population growth. Adverse weather events. Shifting development patterns. The world is expected to face increasingly complex challenges throughout this century and beyond that can negatively impact a community’s built and natural environments, which could also affect human health, livelihoods, heritage and recreational opportunities. Maintaining these natural and cultural resources will require communities to anticipate and plan for these challenges rather than react to them.

Our research works to build adaptive capacity within communities that enhances their ability to plan for and respond to these challenges. Therefore, we strive to identify key factors that enhance or inhibit community resilience by studying global change through informed and inclusive decision-making, the creation of strong partnership networks, and the bridging of transboundary institutions. We conduct this research in diverse geographies, including coastal zones and mountainous regions at regional, national and international scales.

Our research works to build capacity within communities that enhances their ability to plan for and respond to global change. Human population growth, uncertain environmental conditions, and shifting development patterns all challenge community sustainability. Therefore, we strive to identify key factors (e.g., capitals and vulnerabilities) that enhance or inhibit community resilience by engaging with community and resource management leaders, residents and visitors. Our faculty work to build adaptive capacity within institutions, communities, and regions by studying global change (e.g., climate change planning and natural disaster recovery, environmental contamination) through informed and inclusive decision-making, the creation of strong partnership networks, and the bridging of transboundary institutions. We conduct this research in diverse geographies, including coastal zones and mountainous regions at regional, national and international scales.

May 03, 2024

Birdwatching can help students improve mental health, reduce distress

A new study finds people who have nature-based experiences report better well-being and lower psychological distress than those who do not. Birdwatching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well-being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks. Because birdwatching is an easily accessible activity, the results…

March 27, 2024

Immersive VR Tours Promote Inclusive Recreation

Using student-created virtual reality (VR) tours to explore recreation activities throughout North Carolina, this grant helped promote VR experiences as a fun and engaging form of recreation.

October 18, 2023

Greener Neighborhoods Can Protect Us – at the Cellular Level

A new study finds that greenspace in urban environments has a positive impact on a key genetic marker associated with exposure to stress.

Meet Our Experts

At the College of Natural Resources, our faculty are at the forefront of education and research in the field of community capacity and resilience.