Dr. Louise Weber

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Department Chair of Biology lweber@sf.edu

Bio

My major goal is to make nature study more relevant to a world in pain. At a time when human society needs healing, and the Earth is at a crisis point environmentally, I want to introduce the power of reciprocity (healing self by healing Earth). We live in a time of epidemics (obesity, depression, anxiety, addictions), but we have the power of healing within ourselves, if only we can access it. Time spent in nature can provide a healthier lifestyle. What is necessary for this to happen? Three things: love, an ever evolving knowledge of nature, and a sense of reciprocity. I have written a book on this topic (Understanding Nature: Ecology for a New Generation). I live it, I teach it, I help students experience it in Eco Club. I am on several boards and society committees that foster this effort. My academic background in ecology and psychology have provided the background that shapes this initiative.

Areas of Interest

Ecology
Conservation Biology
Wildlife management
Ornithology
Ecotherapy
Ecopsychology
Natural history

Publications:

Weber, L. (2023) Teaching 4DEE Through the Lens of Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation (Portland, Oregon).

Weber, L. (June 2023). Understanding Nature: Ecology for a New Generation. CRC Press. This is an ecology textbook.

Weber, L. (2020). An Ecologist’s Guide to Nature Activity for Healing. Ecopsychology 12: 231-235. http://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0077

McKeon, S, L. Weber, A. Adams, T.L. Fleischner. (2019). Human Dimensions: Natural History as the Innate Foundation of Ecology. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1656

Presentations

Weber, L. (2022). Radical Natural History, Ecology for a New Generation. Ecological Society of American Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Montreal, Quebec).

Weber, L. (2021). Teaching Forest and Grassland Biology, a One Semester Undergraduate Course. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Virtual format).

Weber, L. (2020). Ecology for a New Generation, an Ecology Course that Teaches Students to be More Whole. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting spoken presentation. (Virtual format).