Aaron Vlasak taught philosophy full time for six years before returning to graduate school to revive his life-long interest in the outdoors and environmental science.

In 2016, Vlasak received his MS degree in natural resources management. He has conducted research on national park politics in the country of Bosnia and done seasonal forestry work for the SUNY Research Foundation, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and The Nature Conservancy.

Vlasak currently works at Syracuse University, where he teaches a course in the Department of Geography on the philosophy, politics, and policy of conservation and preservation in the United States. Concurrently, he is involved in research projects with the Center for Environmental Policy and Administration concerning community vulnerability to environmental hazards in New York State.