The Archaeology & Public Lands Lab (APL-Lab) is focused on advancing environmental archaeological research and management on public lands, with a particular focus on cultural burning and wildfire. We use quantitative approaches in environmental archaeology to make connections to cultural resource management, fire ecology, and cultural ecosystem services that inform actionable science. This work is largely conducted in partnership state and federal agencies.
We seek to support students and early career researchers interested in next-generation tools in environmental archaeology, such as machine learning, aerial and terrestrial lidar, and experiential archaeology. Students interested in joining the APL-Lab should contact Dr. Grant Snitker.
Research Themes
Expanding field and laboratory methods to analyze the complex relationship between paleo/modern fire proxies and social-ecological systems.
Incorporating archaeological perspectives into interdisciplinary research focused on contemporary wildfire and environmental change.
Integrating next-generation technologies and tools into the practices of cultural resource management on public lands.

Opportunities
Join our team! Students interested in joining USU’s MS or PhD program in anthropology and working with the Archaeology & Public Lands Lab should contact Dr. Grant Snitker at grant.snitker@usu.edu. Other research opportunities will be listed here as they are available. Otherwise, feel free to stop by the lab to meet us!