Abi Fuesler is a Ph.D. student in Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of Montana and a research assistant in the Wildland and Recreation Management (WARM) Research Lab, led by Dr. Will Rice.

Her path to research ran through the deserts of Southern California and the mountains of western North Carolina: first as a camper, then a summer camp director, and eventually a graduate student in Experiential & Outdoor Education at Western Carolina University. Her thesis examined how graduating from an undergraduate outdoor academic program shapes alumni lives and careers.

Today her work centers on recreation allocation: the systems that decide who gets access when demand exceeds supply to a recreation area. She is also drawn to questions about the social scripts of outdoor adventure, particularly as they relate to the rise of the e-bike.

In addition to her research, Abi remains passionate about facilitation and experiential education. When she steps away from the work, she can be found reading or riding bikes.