Economics

College of Business

H. Jo Albers

Wyoming Excellence Chair in Conservation Economics

Heidi J. Albers (Jo) is the Wyoming Excellence Chair in Conservation Economics in the Department of Economics at the University of Wyoming. Jo’s research follows two strands: integrated spatial bio-economic models for optimal resource management decisions and economic policy analysis at the intersection of resource conservation and rural poverty. Methodologically, Jo’s research typically develops empirically-inspired spatial and temporal decision models that include characteristics of both the socioeconomic and ecological setting. Her current research in Tanzania includes integrating poverty-alleviation projects, their locations, and enforcement activities for better forest/land management and rural livelihoods; improving REDD implementation through appropriate incentives; and spatial allocations of projects and management to improve marine protected area outcomes.  Her current research in Central America includes spatial aspects and livelihood impact of marine protected area management and development of bio-economic frameworks to evaluate sea turtle conservation policy. Her current bio-economics and US policy research includes spatial-dynamic analysis of invasive species management and spatial economic analysis of landscape policies to conserve migratory species.  In collaboration with mathematicians, biologists, data analysts, and other economists, a primary thrust of Jo’s current work considers how people and economics can be incorporated into systematic conservation planning to generate more conservation benefits from landscapes.

PhD (Economics), University of California, Berkeley
MES (Environmental Studies), Yale University
BS (Geology; Economics), Duke University

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests: Environmental and resource economics, Development Economics, Ecological Economics

Teaching: PhD Natural Resource Economics, PhD Spatial Resource Economics, undergraduate: Introduction to Conservation Economics

Select Publications:

Hamaide, Bertrand, Heidi J. Albers, and Gwenlyn M. Busby (forthcoming) “Distance and proximity in nature reserve site selection with spatial spread risk heterogeneity.” Journal of Regional Science.

Heidi J. Albers, Gwenlyn M. Busby, Bertrand Hamaide, Amy W. Ando, and Stephen Polasky. “Spatially-correlated Risk in Reserve Site Selection.” PLoS ONE 11(1). January, 2016.

Majid Alkaee Taleghan, Thomas G. Dietterich, Mark Crowley, Kim Hall, HJ Albers. “PAC Optimal MDP Planning with Application to Invasive Species Management.” Journal of Machine Learning Research.16:3877-3903.  2015.

Robinson, Elizabeth J.Z., Heidi J. Albers, Guyslain Ngeleza, and Razack Lokina (2014) “Insiders, outsiders, and the role of local enforcement in forest management: An example from Tanzania.” Ecological Economics 107: 242-248.

Robinson, Elizabeth J.Z., Heidi J. Albers, and Stephen L. Kirama (2014) “The role of incentives for sustainable implementation of Marine Protected Areas: An example from Tanzania.” International Journal of Sustainable Society 6(1/2): 28-46. Special Issue: The contribution of protected areas to sustainability (guest eds. M. Getzner and M. Jungmeier).

Robinson, Elizabeth J.Z., Heidi J. Albers, Charles Meshack, and Razack Lokina (2013) “Implementing REDD through community-based forest management: Lessons from Tanzania.” Natural Resources Forum 37(3): 141-152. A United Nations Sustainable Development Journal. 

Robinson, Elizabeth J.Z., Heidi J. Albers, and Gwenlyn M. Busby (2013) “The Impact of buffer zone size and management on illegal extraction, park protection, and enforcement.” Ecological Economics 92: 96–103

Albers, Heidi J. and Elizabeth J.Z. Robinson (2013) “A review of the spatial economics of non‐timber forest product extraction: Implications for policy.” Ecological Economics 92: 87-95.