Dr. Mark Fly, Professor &
Human Dimensions Research Lab Director

Dr. Mark Fly is the coordinator of the Wildland Recreation Concentration (B.S. in Forestry) and directs the Human Dimensions Research Lab. His appointment in the Institute of Agriculture is 50% teaching in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and 50% research in the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station.

A native of Middle Tennessee, Dr. Fly received B.S. and M.A. degrees in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. After teaching at the junior college level for four years, he entered the graduate program at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan where he received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1981 and 1986 in Recreation Behavior and Environmental Psychology/Sociology. Dr. Fly received his survey research training from the University of Michigan's Survey research Center at the Institute for Social Research.

Dr. Fly teaches an introductory course in Wildland Recreation, an advanced course in Wildland Recreation Management and Planning, and Coordinates the Wildland Recreation Internship Program; all Wildland Recreation majors are required to do an internship. He also co-teaches the "People and Forests" and “Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries Science” courses with Dr. David Ostermeier as part of the spring block curriculum for junior level students. He currently advises over 30 undergraduates in wildland recreation, and has 3 Ph.D. students and serves on numerous graduate committees. Dr. Fly has received the Neal and Tacie Peacock Teaching Award for innovative teaching activities.

Dr. Fly has been instrumental in the development of the Human Dimensions Research Lab which uses social science research methods, such as surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews to address issues and opportunities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and the environment in Tennessee, the region, and nationally. The Lab employs two full-time research staff, three graduate students, three supervisors and approximately 25 undergraduate students. Research projects conducted by the Lab have been funded by USDA-CREES, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Forestry Association, the Tennessee Nature Conservancy and others. Dr. Fly has authored or co-authored numerous technical publications and journal articles as well as presented research findings at professional meetings associated with forestry, wildlife, fisheries, and recreation at the state, regional, and national levels. The main thrust of his research is on the use and management of natural resources on private land and recreation behavior.

Dr. Fly is a member of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources, the Society of American Foresters, and the Tennessee Recreation and Park Association. Mark has served on numerous Departmental, College and University committees including Scholarships, Curriculum, Internship, the Teaching Council, and the Faculty Senate.

Contact Information

Mark Fly
239 Plant Biotechnology Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-4522
Phone: (865) 974-7979
Email: markfly@utk.edu