Overview
Sara Mason joined the Ecosystem Services Program at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability as a policy associate after graduating from Duke with a master’s degree in environmental management. Her work focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of biodiversity conservation and how that can be leveraged to engage the public and policy makers in conservation efforts. Prior to joining the Nicholas Institute, Sara worked in ecological field research and endangered animal rehabilitation.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Policy Research Associate
Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
An Updated Meta-Analysis of Thinning and Clearcutting Impacts on Carbon Storage in North American Forests
Report · March 25, 2026 Working forests serve an important role in providing timber products. At the same time, these forests are expected to contribute to mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration (removing carbon from the atmosphere) and by replacing high-emission ... Open Access Link to item CiteChallenges and Solutions to Permitting Living Shoreline Projects
Report · November 1, 2024 Open Access Link to item CiteEvidence Library for Mangrove Degradation and Recovery
Report · March 11, 2024 Open Access Link to item CiteRecent Grants
NBS Finance Opportunities Hub
ResearchResearch Associate · Awarded by Conservation Finance Network · 2025 - 2028SYMBIOSIS
ResearchAnalyst · Awarded by International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure · 2025 - 2027Department of the Interior Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap Phase 2
Public ServiceResearch Associate · Awarded by North Carolina State University · 2023 - 2027View All Grants