Dr. Daniella Hirschfeld Envisions Resilient Environments

Assistant Professor Daniella Hirschfeld, in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, was recently recognized as the 2025 CAAS Early Career Researcher of the Year for her contributions to urban ecology and environmental planning.

Hirschfeld’s research focuses on resilient systems, exploring how ecosystems adapt, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and developing nature-based solutions for practitioners.

She has published seven articles in high-impact journals. She also led a team that conducted workshops on planning for sea-level rise resilience, which resulted in a published report and the creation of an international community of practitioners who collaborate on these issues.

Hirschfeld has secured competitive funding from various organizations and government agencies, including leading a $3 million, five-year initiative engaging 90 Utah communities in planting and planning strategies to expand urban tree canopies and reduce the impacts of urban heat islands on human health

In addition to her research, Hirschfeld is an engaged mentor, currently chairing six graduate student thesis committees. These students are examining topics including active transportation planning in small communities, envisioning Utah foodscapes that balance human development, agriculture and wildlife, and the interface of science and policy in coastal states.

Hirschfeld’s commitment to advancing her field, coupled with her rigorous research and collaborative problem-solving approach, is driving positive change and shaping a more resilient and hopeful future.