Research Program

The Leopold Institute's research staff includes, five full-time research scientists (a research geographer, research ecologist, research zoologist, research social scientist, and a research fire ecologist), a zoologist (herpetology), and a GIS specialist. We also periodically employ research assistants, graduate students, and post-doctoral associates. All Institute research strives to improve wilderness management and respond to the needs of wilderness management agencies. We conduct, support, and coordinate research on the biological and social attributes and benefits of wilderness, and on the threats to these attributes and benefits. Research activities include in-house studies as well as cooperative and contract projects with scientists from other agencies and universities across the United States.

Through research application, the Institute is committed to improving communication and to forging closer ties between managers and scientists. Utilizing various methodologies we assure research information is readily available to managers, educators, policymakers, other scientists, and the general public.

Collaboration and Partnerships

To accomplish its mission, the Leopold Institute depends on collaboration and partnerships with a wide variety of individuals and organizations. Collaboration with the many other scientists who conduct research that is either important to wilderness management or that use wilderness as study sites, as well as collaboration with managers who use the science, is particularly important. In 2005 the Leopold Institute established a Visiting Expert and Exchange Program to facilitate the exchange of ideas, expertise and experiences among and between scientists, managers, and others interested in application of science to the management and stewardship of wilderness.