Her research focuses on the impact of institutions and conservation instruments on environmental and socioeconomic outcomes. Current research projects include evaluations of the effectiveness of payments for ecosystem services programs in Oregon and Mexico and analyses of drivers of land cover change in Mesoamerica and Ecuador. Several of these projects are interdisciplinary collaborations with geospatial, ecological, or other social scientists. Prior to working at CSU, Jones was a faculty member at the University of Idaho. She has also worked outside of academia for Conservation International and Research Triangle Institute. She has a PhD and MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a MS from North Carolina State University, and a BS from Meredith College. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo from 2002 to 2004. About CSU Water Center