The social science program at ERI is dedicated to helping managers, policymakers, communities, and other stakeholders understand and address the social and economic complexities underlying forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction. Often referred to as the “human dimension,” these activities contribute to building support and motivating action for restoration.

We conduct applied research, outreach, and training on key social and economic science issues such as the costs of wildfire and benefits of restoration, the effectiveness of decision support tools, public perceptions and actions, collaboration, and policy interpretation and implementation.

Some of our key research projects include:

• Return on Investments in Restoration and Fuel Treatments in Frequent-Fire Forests of the American West
• Full-Cost Accounting Remeasurement of the 2010 Schultz Fire: Understanding the Long-term Socio-Economic Implications of High-Severity Wildfire and Post-Wildfire Flooding
• Integrating Decision Support Tools for Wildfire Risk Assessment and Treatment Prioritization
• Assessment of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) in Arizona and Throughout the West
• Local Experiences with the 2019 Museum Fire and Associated Flood Risk: A Survey of Flagstaff-Area Residents
• Full Cost Accounting of the 2010 Schultz Fire
• The Efficacy of Hazardous Fuel Treatments: Rapid Assessment of the Economic and Ecologic Consequences of Alternative Hazardous Fuel Treatments 
• Forest Restoration Treatments: Their Effect on Wildland Fire Suppression Costs 
• Administrative and Legal Review Opportunities for Collaborative Groups
• The Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI): The Role of Collaboration in Achieving Outcomes 
• Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project: Creating Solutions through Community Partnerships