The social science program at ERI is dedicated to helping communities, managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders understand and effectively address the social and policy complexities underlying forest restoration problems. We conduct applied research, outreach, and training on key social science issues such as collaboration, community-based management and monitoring, stakeholder values and perceptions, and policy interpretation and implementation. Program work is guided by the explicit assumption that ecological restoration and ecological sustainability are intricately linked to human community, society, and democratic processes.

• Collaboration: Lessons Learned
  Active from 2003 to date (ongoing).
• Fire Management Research Synthesis
  Active from 2001 to 2005.
• Multiparty Monitoring Methods
  Active from 2002 to 2006.
• Public Perceptions Research Synthesis
  Active in 2005.
• Southwest Community Needs Assessment
  Active from 2001 to 2004.
• White Mountains Landscape Needs Assessment
  Active in 2005.