Anna Miller
Environment & Society / Ecology Center
Assistant Professor

Contact Information
Office Location: NR 318Phone: (435) 797-0795
Email: anna.miller@usu.edu
Additional Information:
Awards
Project Excellence Award, 2022
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Publications | Books
- Selin, S., Cerveny, L.K, Blahna, D.J, Miller, A.B, (2020). Igniting research for outdoor recreation: Linking science, policy, and action. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Helmer, M., Miller, A.B, Barborak, J.R, McCool, S., Leung, Y., (2020). Global Dimensions: Trends, lessons and collaborative learning: Igniting research for outdoor recreation: linking science, policy, and action. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Blahna, D.J, Kline, J., Williams, D., Rogers, K., Miller, A.B, McCool, S., Valenzuela, F., (2020). Integrating social, ecological, and economic factors in sustainable recreation planning and decision making: Igniting research for outdoor recreation: linking science, policy, and action. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Miller, A.B, Larson, L., Wimpey, J., Reigner, N., (2020). Outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship: The sustainable symbiosis: Igniting research for outdoor recreation: linking science, policy, and action. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Cerveny, L.K, Miller, A.B, (2019). Public lands, protected areas and tourism: Management challenges and information needs.
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
- Miller, A., Blye, C., Newton, J., Miller, L., Richards, J., (2025). Who Carries Bear Spray? Reducing Risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Through Leave No Trace Communication. Journal of Interpretation Research, 1-33. doi: doi.org/10.1177/10925872251331384
- Rastandeh, A., Borgström, S., Pickering, C.P, Miller, A., Geneletti, D., Kohsaka, R., Rose, J., Engström, A., Andersson, E., Olafsson, A.S, Hasse, D., (2025). Priorities for peri‑urban recreation ecology research, policy, and practice in a transforming world. Landscape Ecology, 40:230, doi: 10.1007/s10980-025-02263-1
- Wheeler, I., Freimund, W., Miller, A., (2025). Systems Thinking for Complex Recreation Management: A Case Study in Moab, Utah, United States. Socio-Ecological Practice Research
- Wheeler, I., Freimund, W., Miller, A., Monz, C., (2025). Impact of a Responsible Recreation Trail Ambassador Program on Visitor Experiences and Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions. Journal of Interpretation Research
- Meyer, C., Freimund, W., Miller, Z., Miller, A., Wimpey, J., Taff, B.D, (2024). Examining Opportunities for Solitude or Unconfined Recreation in a Colorado Plateau Wilderness Setting: A Case Study from the Canyons of the Escalante. International Journal of Wilderness
- Corkery, G., Rogers, P.C, Miller, A.B, (2024). Quaking Aspen in a High-Use Recreation Area: Challenges of People, Ungulates, and Sodium on Landscape Resilience. Land13, 1003.
- Cheng, C., Granados, A., Brodie, J.F, Kays, R., Davies, J., Liu, R., Fisher, J.T, Ahumada, J., Miller, A.B, [40 authors], , Burton, C., (2024). Combining camera trap surveys and IUCN range maps to improve knowledge of species distributions. Conservation Biology, 38:e14221, 1-17. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14221
- Smith, J., Yang, E., Miller, A.B, (2023). Research note: An evaluation of potential locations for the Bears Ears National Monument Cultural Center. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 43, 100645. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2023.100645
- Beeco, A., Wilkins, E., Miller, A.B, Lamborn, C., Anders, S., Miller, Z., Smith, J., (2023). Support for management actions to protect night sky quality: Insights from visitors to state and national park units in the U.S.. Journal of Environmental Management, 118878. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118878
- Chen, C., Granados, A., Brodie, J.F, Kays, R., Davies, T.J, Liu, R., Fisher, J.T, Ahumada, J., McShea, W., Sheil, D., Mohd-Azlan, J., [40 authors total], , Miller, A.B, Burton, A.C, (2023). Camera trap surveys and IUCN range maps to improve knowledge of species distributions. Conservation Biology, doi: 10.1111/cobi.14221
- Miller, A.B, Cox, C., Morse, W.C, (2023). Ecotourism, wildlife conservation, and agriculture in Costa Rica through a social-ecological systems lens. Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism, 2, 1179887. doi: 10.3389/frsut.2023.1179887
- Cerveny, L.K, Derrien, M.D, Meyer, C., Miller, A.B, (2022). Four dimensions of sustainable governance for National Scenic Trails. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 39, 100518.
- Chen, C., Brodie, J.F, Kays, R., Davies, T.J, Liu, R., Fisher, J.T, Ahumada, J., McShea, W., Sheil, D., Agwanda, B., Andianarisoa, M.H, e., Miller, A.B, [et al. 11 more authors], , (2022). Global camera trap synthesis highlights the importance of protected areas in maintaining mammal diversity. Conservation Letters, e12865.
- Miller, A., Winter, P.L, Sanchez, J.J, Peterson, D., Smith, J., (2022). Climate change and recreation in the western United States: Effects and opportunities for adaptation. Journal of Forestry, 120:4, 453-472. doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvab072
- Miller, A.B, Blahna, D.J, Morse, W.C, Leung, Y., Rowland, M.M, (2022). From recreation ecology to a recreation ecosystem: A framework accounting for social-ecological systems. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
- Smith, J., Miller, A., Lamborn, C., Spernbauer, B., Creany, N., Richards, J.C, Meyer, C., Nesbitt, J., Rempel, W., Wilkins, E.J, Miller, Z., Freimund, W., Monz, C., (2021). Motivations and spatial behavior of OHV recreationists: A case-study from central Utah (USA). Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 36, 100426. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2021.100426
- Smith, J., Wilkins, E.J, Miller, A.B, (2021). Bears Ears National Monument and outdoor recreation in San Juan County, Utah. Society and Natural Resources, 34:7, 966-979. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2021.1907867
- Cerveny, L.K, Derrien, M.M, Miller, A.B, C.M, (2021). Partnership and Community Engagement Models for Stewarding National Scenic Trails: A Social- Ecological Systems Perspective. Tourism Planning & Development
- Wesstrom, S., Creany, N., Monz, C., Miller, A.B, D'Antonio, A., (2021). The effect of a vehicle diversion traffic management strategy on spatio-temporal park use: A study in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration, 39:2, doi: https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2021-10746
- Miller, A.B, Cerveny, L.K, Derrien, M., Selin, S., Blahna, D.J, (2020). A research strategy to ignite the science of outdoor recreation on public lands. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 38:2
- Cerveny, L.K, Derrien, M., Miller, A.B, (2020). Shared stewardship and National Scenic Trails: Building on a legacy of partnerships. International Journal of Wilderness, 26:2, 18-33.
- Cerveny, L.K, Miller, A.B, Gende, S., (2020). Sustainable cruise tourism in marine World Heritage sites. Sustainability, 12, 611.
- Miller, A.B, Kays, R., Leung, Y., (2020). Wildlife response to trail building: An experimental method and Appalachian case study. Journal for Nature Conservation, 56, 125815.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Technical Reports
Research Reports
- Miller, A.B, Freimund, W., Wheeler, I., Jacobs, A., Bruck, J., (2023). Lessons learned from a collection of visitor management studies occurring in the Moab, Utah area. *
- Wheeler, I., Miller, A., Freimund, W., (2023). Recreate Responsibly: Visitor trail use behavior GPS track analysis. *
- Smith, J., Miller, Z., Miller, A., Lamborn, C., Beeco, A., Anderson, S., (2023). Characteristics, management preferences, and spending profiles of night sky recreationists in Utah. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University
- Smith, J., Miller, A., Lamborn, C., (2023). Recreationists and nearby residents’ perceptions of water quality at Utah Lake. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
- Jacobs, A., Freimund, W., Miller, A., Wheeler, I., Smith, J., (2023). UtahRaptor State Park: 2022-2023 visitor experience survey results. Utah State University *
- Wheeler, I., Miller, A.B, Freimund, W., Carlson, M., Jacobs, A., (2023). Recreate Responsibly: Grand County Trail Ambassador program evaluation; Visitor education and behavior. *
- Smith, J., Yang, E., Miller, A.B, (2022). An assessment of the location of the Bears Ears National Monument cultural center. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
- Smith, J., Miller, A.B, Lamborn, C., Monz, C., Rumore, D., (2021). Outdoor recreation use and indicators of the ecological, physical, and social characteristics of recreation settings in the Central Wasatch: Phase 1 interim report. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
- Graham, R., Miller, A.B, Monz, C., (2021). Post-Experience Survey of Backcountry Anglers and Hikers in Rocky Mountain National Park. *
- Smith, J., Wilkins, E.J, Miller, A.B, (2020). Bears Ears and outdoor recreation in San Juan County: The impact of Bears Ears National Monument on outdoor recreation and industries related to outdoor recreation in San Juan County, Utah. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
Other Reports
- Smith, J., Miller, A.B, (2020). The state of outdoor recreation in Utah 2020: A high-level review of the data & trends that define outdoor recreation in the state.
- Smith, J., Miller, A.B, Leung, Y., (2020). 2019 Outlook and analysis letter: The vital statistics of America’s State Park systems. *
- Cerveny, L., Derrien, M., Miller, A.B, (2020). A research strategy for enhancing sustainable recreation and tourism on public lands. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Miller, A.B, King, D., Rowland, M., Chapman, J., Tomosy, M., Liang, C., Abelson, E., Truex, R., (2020). Sustaining wildlife with recreation on public lands: a synthesis of research findings, management practices, and research needs. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Leung, Y.-, Walden-Schreiner, C., Miller, A.B, Smith, J., (2018). Statistical report of state park operations: 2016-2017 – Annual Information Exchange for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University *
- Leung, Y.-, Smith, J., Miller, A.B, (2017). Statistical report of state park operations: 2015-2016 – Annual Information Exchange for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University *
- Leung, Y.-, Smith, J., Miller, A.B, (2016). Statistical report of state park operations: 2014-2015 – Annual Information Exchange for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University *
- Leung, Y.-, Smith, J., Miller, A.B, (2015). Statistical report of state park operations: 2013-2014 – Annual Information Exchange for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University *
- Leung, Y.-, Smith, J., Miller, A.B, Serenari, C., (2014). Statistical report of state park operations: 2012-2013 – Annual Information Exchange for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Other
- Miller, A.B, (2018). Community-based natural resource monitoring in Namibia: The Event Book System.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Teaching
Graduate Students Mentored
Biography
Anna Miller is an Assistant Professor of Recreation Resource Management and in the Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University. She studies human-environment interactions in the context of outdoor recreation. Considering the social-ecological system of outdoor recreation, her work bridges the field of recreation ecology with related fields such as recreation behavior, environmental psychology, environmental economics, and wildlife biology. Most recently her research has focused on human-wildlife interactions and climate adaptation for outdoor recreation. She emphasizes addressing protected area management challenges, collaborating closely with practitioners to develop an understanding of research needs. She is also very interested in international perspectives on nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation systems.
Dr. Miller earned her PhD at North Carolina State University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, focusing on recreation ecology. She holds a BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MS in Applied Ecology from the University of Poitiers, France. After completing her PhD, she taught with The School for Field Studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands and worked with the US Forest Service PNW Research Station before joining the ENVS Department at USU.
Teaching:
ENVS 3300: Fundamentals of Recreation Resources Management
CAS 6002: Climate Adaptation Science Studio
Graduate Students:
Lane Arthur- M.S. Ecology
Andrea Jacobs- M.S. Environment and Society
Taylor Peltier - Ph.D. Environment and Society
Megan Stone- M.S. Recreation Resource Management