Dr. Srijana Baral is an assistant professor of forest and natural resource economics in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University. Learn more about why she came to CSU and her research interest in forest economics.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I am a forest and natural resource economist interested in studying the financial impacts of physical/climate-induced and market risks such as wildfire and inflation. In addition, I am interested in the economics of forests as a natural climate solution. I spent most of my childhood back home in Nepal, living in a very close-knit community and eating a lot of street foods (oh, I miss that!). Before coming to CSU, I was working as a post-doc at the University of Georgia, Athens, where I completed all my graduate studies as well. I was involved in economics and financial research related to the forest management issues of small non-industrial private forest landowners and the performance of large forest products companies. I have always been fascinated with the dynamics of forestry systems and the advancement in the world of forestry and would like to further explore the socioeconomic aspects of it.
In my spare time, I like to paint using acrylic colors and bake delicious desserts– mostly cakes!
Q: What brought you to Forest and Rangeland Stewardship and CSU?
A: I visited Colorado in 2021 as a tourist. I liked it so much because I have always wanted to live closer to the mountains, and Colorado felt like home. I think my CO visit influenced my job search to some extent as I started looking for academic positions within my expertise in the state.
I was very excited to learn about the open position for the economics of ecological risk and resilience in forest and rangeland stewardship. In CO, we have many economic questions related to forest and rangeland management that are yet to be explored. I would like to address some of those in this role to carve a unique niche of economic and financial aspects of forestland and rangeland management that could be impactful to the overall natural resource industry of the state.
Q: What are your research and teaching interests and how did you get interested in those topics?
A: My research interests lie in understanding the impact of forest tax policies and associated programs on non-industrial private forest landowners and forest products industries and the changes in the forest management paradigm in regard to climate change and adaptation from economic lenses. Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment as it challenges the proper management of natural resources, moves the economy, and poses threat to the community. It is a prime time to investigate these topics and help our communities better understand the importance of this environment.
Q: What is a research question you are working on or curious about next?
A: Currently, I am examining the effects of wildfire on property values in the state of Colorado and studying the tax incentive programs that provide tax relief to forest owners and promote forest stewardship. I am curious to understand the economics of climate adaptation actions including increasing the capacity of forest industries in creating healthy and resilient forests in the western United States.
Q: What classes will you be teaching and when?
A: I will be teaching F322 Economics of the Forest Environment in the Spring and Fall of 2023. I am excited about teaching this course and interacting with the brilliant students we have at CSU.
Q: What is your teaching philosophy?
A: My teaching philosophy is creating a student-centered learning environment while focusing on interaction and practicality. For my class, I would like to focus on the needs, interests, and learning styles of students to emphasize their unique skills and bring out the best in them. I strive to include both theoretical and practical knowledge that provokes students to think critically and provides hands-on experience with various forestry practices.
Q: What do you like/favorite part about CSU and the campus?
A: I like a lot of things about CSU. If I had to choose just a couple, I would say the mountain view from Warner’s 4th floor and bike-friendly roads. I like spending my lunchtime on the 4th-floor balcony and biking around campus to familiarize myself with the campus area. I miss biking back home in Nepal!
Q: You are currently recruiting for your lab, correct?
A: Yes. I am looking for motivated students interested in the economics of natural resource management.
Q: How should folks contact you?
A: I can be reached at srijana.baral@colostate.edu or I can be found in NR 215 for a casual chat about science – I can offer spiced black tea too.
