Jordan Smith

Environment and Society Dept

Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Specialist


Jordan Smith

Contact Information

Office Location: Logan Campus
Phone: 435-830-6294
Email: jordan.smith@usu.edu

Educational Background

PhD, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, (Geospatial Information Science and Technology; Sociology), NC State University, 2011
Adapting to changing environmental conditions: Mixed-methods analyses of how social capital and place-based social-psychological dependencies influence climate change resilience in Southern Appalachia
MS, Recreation Resources Management, Utah State University, 2008
Off-highway vehicle owners’ specialization and its relationship to environmental attitudes and motivations
Other, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, Utah State University, 2006
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, NC State University, 2011

Biography

Dr. Jordan W. Smith serves as Director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University, where he oversees initiatives that bolster Utah’s economy by helping communities and agencies navigate the complex tradeoffs involved in outdoor recreation and tourism development. Under his leadership, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan and the Gateway and Natural Amenity Region Initiative have equipped underserved communities throughout the Intermountain West with critical tools for sustainable economic growth.

An interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Smith integrates econometric modeling, geospatial analytics, and social-ecological frameworks to address pressing natural resource challenges. His research examines how environmental changes and shifting population dynamics affect common-pool resources, including outdoor recreation opportunities and naturally dark skies—elements that are fundamental to Utah’s quality of life and economic vitality. Through groundbreaking studies on monitoring and managing outdoor recreation across the West, his work underscores the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth.

A champion of collaboration and innovation, Dr. Smith has spearheaded projects such as the Basecamp Conference and Workshop, uniting stakeholders to develop creative solutions for outdoor recreation management. Through these efforts, he exemplifies Utah State University’s commitment to fostering innovation, cultivating talent, and strengthening the state’s position as a national leader in sustainable development and economic competitiveness.

Teaching Interests

None

Research Interests

Dr. Smith applies advanced analytical methods to study the impacts of environmental and demographic changes on shared resources vital to the Western US's quality of life and economy.

Awards

Dissertations Initiative for the Advancement of Climate Change Research (DISCCRS) VII Symposium Scholar, 2012

National Science Foundation

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network National Office Fellowship recipient, 2010

U.S. Department of the Interior

Annual Congress Travel Assistance Scholarship recipient, 2009

National Recreation and Park Association

Doctoral Student of the Year, 2009

Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

Hofmann Fellowship recipient, 2008

NC State University College of Natural Resources

ISSRM Travel Scholarship recipient, 2008

Utah State University

Lucille and Derby Dustin Future Scholar Award recipient, 2007

National Recreation and Park Association

NEPA Certificate Scholarship recipient, 2007

Shipley Group


    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Powell, J., Rumore, D., Smith, J., Vaugeois, N., (2022). The GNAR Initiative: Empowering gateway communities through collaboration: Innovative and promising practices in sustainable tourism (volume 2)Innovative and promising practices in sustainable tourism (volume 2). VIUf Publications
  • Smith, J., (2018). Effects of climate change on outdoor recreation [Chapter 10]: Climate change vulnerability and adaptation in the Intermountain Region. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | MultiMedia

Software

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Technical Reports

Research Reports

  • Smith, J., (2023). UtahRaptor State Park: 2022-2023 visitor experience survey results. Utah State University *
  • Smith, J., (2023). Characteristics of anglers and angling preferences in Utah: Results from the 2021-2022 Utah angler survey. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
  • Smith, J., (2023). Outdoor recreation use of the Central Wasatch: Results from the 2021-2022 visitor use survey. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
  • Smith, J., (2023). Recreationists and nearby residents’ perceptions of water quality at Utah Lake. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
  • Smith, J., (2023). Red Emerald Resilience Training Program: Preparing Utah’s tourism industry for a post-pandemic world. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *
  • Smith, J., (2020). Social impacts of expanded ski resort operations on Forest Service lands. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University *

Other Reports

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

Other

  • Smith, J., (2020). Gateway Communities and the Impacts of COVID-19. CONVERGE, HNERI *
  • Smith, J., (2011). Adapting to changing environmental conditions: Mixed-methods analyses of how social capital and place-based social-psychological dependencies influence climate change resilience in Southern Appalachia. North Carolina State University *
  • Smith, J., (2008). Utah off-highway vehicle owners’ specialization and its relationship to environmental attitudes and motivations. Utah State University

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Teaching

ENVS 4920 - Special Projects in Recreation Management, Spring 2020
ENVS 4920 - Special Projects in Recreation Management, Fall 2019
ENVS 4920 - Special Projects in Recreation Management, Fall 2019
ENVS 4920 - Special Projects in Recreation Management, Fall 2019
ENVS 6800, 7800 - Environment and Society Departmental Seminar, Spring 2016
ENVS 4980 - Undergraduate Seminar, Spring 2016

Extension

Colorado Plateau & Basin and Range Dark Sky Cooperatives, 2022 - Ongoing
Gateway and Natural Amenity Region Initiative, 2020 - Ongoing
Visitor Use Monitoring and Management, 2016 - Ongoing
Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Website and e-Newsletter, 2016 - Ongoing

Graduate Students Mentored

Casey Trout, Environment & Society
Glendon Van Sandt, Environment & Society
Elizabeth Depew, Environment & Society 2023
Will Rempel, Environment & Society 2023
Bettina Spernbauer, Environment & Society 2022
Jake Richards, Environment & Society 2022
Chase Lamborn, Environment & Society 2022
Hongchao Zhang, Environment & Society 2021
Emily Wilkins, Environment & Society 2020
Lauren Dupéy, Environment & Society 2020
Adam Hestetune, Environment & Society 2019
Brooke Sausser, Environment & Society 2019
Riana Gayle, Environment & Society 2018