A graduate of Stanford University, Traci Bliss holds a master’s degree in social sciences/history and a PhD in education with a minor in political science. An experienced education professor, she has taught such courses as Adaptations for Diversity and Philosophy of Education at the undergraduate level, along with graduate courses about curriculum development and learning theories. Traci Bliss received emerita professor status, the highest honor full professors can receive, from Idaho State University. She now focuses much of her time on writing and speaking about redwood conservation in Santa Cruz County, California.
Traci Bliss has been involved in the environmental movement since the mid-1970s when she designed energy conservation programs for the California Energy Commission. During this time, she was allowed a brief nine-month leave to serve as the water conservation coordinator during Santa Cruz’ most serious drought. Although her career focused on education after this point, she maintained her passion for conservation. Combining the two fields of interest, she now serves as a docent at Henry Cowell Redwoods State in Santa Cruz County.
Since returning to conservation efforts, Traci Bliss has authored and coauthored three journal chapters regarding the preservation of and access to redwood state parks. She recently gave a sponsored lecture about the role women played in the creation of Big Basin, California's oldest state park, for the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.