Jennifer Clinton is the Senior Parks and Conservation Economist with Trust for Public Land (TPL). She leads TPL’s Conservation Economics portfolio, researching the economic benefits of parks, trails, and green space across the U.S. These efforts are threaded through with TPL’s four commitments: climate, equity, community, and public health.

Jennifer lives on Cape Cod. She has a dog named Sandy, volunteers in support of small businesses and entrepreneurs on the Cape, and paints watercolors in her free time. Jennifer holds an M.S. in Agricultural & Resource Economics from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in Politics from Fairfield University.

Favorite SFS Memory:

“I have so many cherished memories of my time on South Caicos. The Center is absolutely beautiful, and being immersed in that environment every day and learning about the natural world was such a gift. I’ve made lifelong friends through the program and have fond memories of sharing conch fritters at Cynthia’s, studying tropical fish (I have so many Latin names in my head to this day… Aetobatus narinari!), and singing along with the band formed during our semester, the Charismatic Megafauna.

I still use some of the natural resource management foundations we learned in TCI in my work today. I remember visiting hotel developments in progress and talking to community members about the anticipated impacts on their small island. Today, I work with rural communities in the U.S. that are considering outdoor recreation as an economic opportunity. There are many similar themes between my study abroad experience and work at Trust for Public Land, including protecting vulnerable communities and natural resources; climate risk and adaptation; and the benefits of rich, community-led planning and engagement.”