Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith is an accomplished environmental economist with extensive experience in developing strategies and policy recommendations for conservation efforts. As Lead Scientist at The Nature Conservancy since 2012, Elizabeth focuses on ecosystem-based management strategies for coastal regions in New York, utilizing economic models to analyze the impacts of water quality and wastewater upgrades. Prior experience includes serving as a Research Fellow at the University of Rhode Island, where Elizabeth executed economic field experiments for ecosystem restoration and led research from proposal development to data analysis. Elizabeth holds a PhD in Environmental & Natural Resource Economics from the University of Rhode Island and dual MPA degrees in Conservation Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Additionally, Elizabeth earned a BA in Communications from Villanova University.