Susannah Lerman

Dr. Susannah Lerman is a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station and a national leader in understanding how everyday landscapes—from suburban yards to working forests—shape biodiversity and human well being. Guided by her “Humanity for Habitat” vision, she studies residential yards as powerful, overlooked conservation spaces, showing how simple management choices can support birds, bees, and other wildlife while strengthening people’s connections to nearby nature. Her work on private lands highlights how communities can participate directly in science, biodiversity conservation, and shared stewardship. She also investigates how fire, grazing, and other management practices on National Forests and Grasslands influence habitat for species such as birds, bees, and bison. Susannah is deeply committed to mentoring exceptional young and early career scholars.

Bird and Pollinator Habitat; Forest and Grassland Management; Biodiversity Conservation; Urban Ecology