His teaching and research focus on wildfire, invasive species, and conservation. Jim has been bringing students to Genesee Valley Conservancy lands for several years to learn about ecosystem dynamics, and he enjoys visiting the Indian Fort Nature Preserve with his family. He is active in environmental education with K-12 students, college students, and community members. Jim was involved in the establishment of a partnership between SUNY Geneseo and Letchworth State Park related to the new Nature Center in the park. He is on the college-park Partnership Steering Committee, and is the chair of the College Subcommittee for this initiative. In his free time, Jim loves to ski, hike, and explore in the Genesee Valley.