Publications, Media & Speaking

A selection of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, media, and speaking engagements. Download the full list (PDF).

Peer-Reviewed & Academic

• Gelbard, J. L. and J. Belnap. 2003. Roads as conduits for exotic plant invasions in a semiarid landscape. Conservation Biology 17:420–432. (950+ citations — most-cited paper.)
• M.A. Ahlering, C. Kazanski, P. Lendrum, P. Borrelli, W. Burnidge, L. Clark, C. Ellis, K. Gadzia, J. Gelbard, S. Gennet, J. Goodwin, J.E. Herrick, E. Kachergis, C. Knapp, N. Labbe, K. Maczko, E. Porzig, D. Rizzo, S. Spiegal, and C. Wilson. 2021. A Synthesis of Ranch-Level Sustainability Indicators for Land Managers and to Communicate Across the US Beef Supply Chain. Rangeland Ecology & Management 79:217–230.
• Gelbard, J. L. and S. Harrison. 2003. Roadless habitats as refuges for native grasslands: interactions with soil type, aspect, and grazing. Ecological Applications 13:404–415.
• Gelbard, J. L. and S. Harrison. 2005. Invasibility of roadless grasslands: an experimental study of yellow starthistle. Ecological Applications 15:1570–1580. (Together with the 2003 paper, 225+ citations from Ph.D. research.)
• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Conservation Science — Social Sciences Section (2026–present).

Book Chapters

• Ackerman, M. and J.L. Gelbard. 2011. Music — Inspired by weather, inspiring action on climate change. In Schneider, S. H., T.L. Root, and M.D. Mastrandrea (eds). The Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Gelbard, J. L. 2003. Grasslands at a crossroads: protecting and enhancing resilience to climate change. Chapter 1 in Hanson L. J., J. L. Biringer, and J. R. Hoffman (editors), Buying time: a user’s manual for building resistance and resilience to climate change in natural systems. World Wildlife Fund. Washington D.C. 242 Pages.
• Jantz, P.A., B.F.L. Preusser, J.K. Fujikawa, J.A. Kuhn, C.J. Bersbach, J.L. Gelbard, and F.W. Davis. 2007. Regulatory Protection and Conservation. Chapter 23 in Stromberg, M., J. Corbin, and C. D’Antonio (editors), Ecology and Management of California Grasslands. University of California Press. Berkeley.
• Gelbard, J. L. 2007. Invaders on the move: roads and off-road vehicle use as major causes of weed invasions. In Wuerthner, G. (editor), Thrill craft: The environmental consequences of motorized recreation. Chelsea Green, White River Junction, VT. 274 Pages.
• Belsky, A. J. and J. L. Gelbard. 2002. Comrades in harm: livestock and exotic weeds in the intermountain West. Pages 203–205 in Wuerthner, G. and M. Mattson (editors), Welfare Ranching: The Subsidized Destruction of the American West. Island Press. Washington D.C. 346 Pages.
• Harrison, S. and Gelbard, J.L. 2000. Plant communities of the McLaughlin Reserve. UC Davis Natural Reserve System.

Science Communication & Public Writing

• TriplePundit / Medium: “Where’s the (Sustainable) Beef?” — seven-part series on beef supply chain sustainability (2018–2019).
• TriplePundit (re-posted to Medium): “What’s Really ‘Green’? A Look at Mattresses” — four-part series (2011). The direct precursor to the Five Key Questions methodology and its later approach to advancing beef supply chain sustainability.
• Yale Climate Connections / Medium: “Musicians Inspiring Fans to Act on Climate Change Solutions” (2009; reposted to Medium, 2026).
• Conservation Value Notes — 1,108 posts (2006–2011). See Insights for the curation approach.

Podcast

• The Nature of Music — host and producer, Conservation Value Institute (2020–present, 13+ episodes).

Presentations, Speaking & Facilitation

• Emcee — Camp Deep End Nature, Family & Music Festival. Camp Navarro, CA. 2016–present.
• Panelist — “Ecosystem Services on Rangelands — The Next Non-Food Market?” Presentation focused on “Ecosystem Markets — Opportunities for Ranchers: Market Overview, Key Barriers to Change, and Ideas of Solutions.” EcoFarm Conference. Monterey, CA. January, 2023.
• Panelist — “Soil Health is Planetary Wealth: Ecological & Economic Benefits of Healthy & Productive Soils.” RegenFriends Conference advancing regenerative economy solutions. San Francisco, CA. February, 2020.
• Moderator & Panel Organizer — “Getting the Bull Out of Regenerative Grazing & Beef: Strategies for Leveraging the Sustainable Beef Spotlight to Reduce the Environmental & Climate Impacts of Poorly Managed Livestock Grazing.” Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, Eugene, OR. 2019.
• Poster — “The Grasslands Alliance Certification Standard: A Comprehensive, Science-Based Standard for Incentivizing Credibly Sustainable Ranching & Beef Production.” Natural Capital Symposium. Stanford University. March, 2018.
• Moderator & Panel Organizer — “Certification Standards Have been an Effective Mechanism for Building Conservation Partnerships in Other Commodities; Can That Success be Replicated in the U.S. Beef Sector to Better Incentivize Grassland Conservation?” America’s Grasslands Conference. Ft. Collins, CO. September, 2015.
• Moderator — “Sustainable Livestock Innovations & Impacts.” Berkeley Food Institute, NRDC, and Organic Valley. May 2014.
• Plenary Speaker — “How to Make Your Science Stick! Communicating Science in a Twitter World.” Western Division, American Fisheries Society. Jackson, WY. 2012.
• “Conservation Biologists As Drivers of Business Innovation: Our Essential Role Supporting the Sustainability Revolution.” Presented at the North America Congress for Conservation Biology. Oakland, CA. August, 2012.
• Presentation to the Walmart Beef Roundtable, representing NRDC — “The Environmental FootPrint of Beef: Life Cycle Hot Spots & Science-Based Solutions.” Bentonville, AR. 2012.

Environmental Event Production & Program Leadership

• Producer & Director, ROTHBURY Think Tank — led and managed a team of one assistant and ten volunteers. 40+ speakers per year including Stephen H. Schneider, Terry Root, Eban Goodstein, Hunter Lovins, Michel Gelobter, Winona LaDuke, Wahleah Johns, Anthony Leiserowitz, and Bud Ward. Referred by Peter Shapiro; secured a $20,000 sponsorship from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; contract renewed for the second and final year of ROTHBURY.
• National Sustainability Producer, Green Apple Festival — led, managed, and mentored local sustainability coordinators for America’s largest Earth Day events, grown from 3 to 10 cities. Promoted from San Francisco to National Sustainability Producer for years 2–3.
• Founding Outreach Director, HeadCount — hired, trained, and managed 3 central administrators (volunteer coordinator, IT coordinator, outreach coordinator) and 9 regional coordinators.
• Instructor and Facilitator, Grasslands and Montane Working Group, WWF’s Climate Camp workshops, Washington, D.C. (2006) and San Francisco (2008) — trained land managers from around the world, representing organizations including WWF, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and The Nature Conservancy, in applying the Buying Time framework to their own landscapes. Also helped secure Governor Jerry Brown as keynote speaker and live music from members of ALO for the Climate Camp’s closing celebration at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
• Produced, directed, and co-hosted the Sustainable Grazing Metrics & Standards Workshop with UC Davis and Cornell — convened 40+ scientists, land managers, ranchers, NGO representatives, and funders whose feedback shaped a 50+ page auditable standard framework, piloted on 1M+ acres as the Grasslands Alliance Standard.
• Executive Director, Conservation Value Institute (2004–2012) — led interns and a web development team, built two online sustainability guides, contributed to the Dig It documentary, and published over 1,100 posts on Conservation Value Notes.
• NRDC, Lead Scientist & Program Manager — led and supported hiring, training, management, and mentoring of junior staff and consultants; fostered a growth mindset by inclusively leading and inspiring talented junior team members.

Selected Press Coverage

• Melley, B. 2003. Studies find roads are pathways for invasive species. Associated Press and San Francisco Chronicle (front page, Sunday Section B). June 2003.
• Lau, E. 2003. Weeds at home on our roadsides. Sacramento Bee, May 4, 2003.
• Documentary film interview — Dig It, about the economic, health, crime, and quality-of-life benefits of urban forests and trees, featuring members of Pearl Jam and Timberland’s CEO.
• Radio Interview: Episode 205 Jonathan Gelbard and the Grasslands Alliance. What Doesn’t Kill You. Heritage Radio Network. November 21, 2016.
• Radio Interview: Episode 113: Sustainable Standards for Cattle Production. What Doesn’t Kill You. Heritage Radio Network. June 3, 2014.
• Radio Interview: Green Apple Festival, the importance of ‘going green’ to our environment, economy, and quality of life. Beyond Organic Radio with Jerry Kay. April, 2007.
• Quoted in “Should Environmentalists Just Say No to Eating Beef?” Yale Environment 360. 2012.
• Cited by name in “Can Beef Ever Be Sustainable? Cattle and Climate Change Q&A with Chris Wille.” Tobias Webb (founder, Ethical Corporation and Innovation Forum), May 2016 — Wille names Jonathan directly as the source for the Grasslands Alliance’s 20% emissions-reduction figure and the 4–5% ceiling on soil carbon’s mitigation potential.
• Coverage in “Species and Sprawl — A Road Runs Through It.” American Museum of Natural History, February 2004.
• “Another Roadside Detraction.” High Country News, September 2003.
• Quote: Beef Feedlots Grapple With Never-Ending Waste. Harvest Public Media. December 11, 2012.