Alpine Ecosystems Research Institute

The Alpine Ecosystems Research Institute (AERI) conducts multi-disciplinary research focused on clarifying the evolving relationships between humans, montane ecosystems, and their native species in order to educate the public on humanity's role in the past, present, and future of mountain conservation.

AERI conducts cutting-edge multidisciplinary research and public educational outreach. Our focus is to understand and educate about the human-environment and interspecies relationships of the mountainous and alpine environments of Montana's Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Our understanding of these past relationships provides insight into humanity's role in conserving mountainous ecosystems and their native species for present and future generations. We take what we know about past environmental and cultural systems and engage, educate, and inspire students, the public, and private land owners about present-day interactions and future possibilities. We also promote cultural heritage stewardship programs that give back to the local GYE communities.

We believe it is important to include Indigenous perspectives in our discipline, and to include members of the public to experience and learn about history and nature on the landscapes we call home. That is why we are prioritizing funding in these areas. In 2024, AERI provided 25 days of educational field opportunities, 1 field internship, and spoke at the Shane Center on preliminary Clovis research at high elevation.

Testimonials

We were incredibly grateful to have the AERI visit our school and speak with our 7th-grade students... Our students were captivated by the insights shared about local plant usage by Indigenous people, especially the knowledge of Indigenous peoples and their relationship with native flora. The team did a wonderful job making complex scientific topics accessible and exciting for young learners. Their passion for research and respect for cultural history truly resonated with our class. -Victoria Clark, SGMS

Perhaps most important however, is the opportunities they offer for students... I cannot wait to see how [AERI's work] impacts our perspectives on local history. -Kyle Neibauer, PHS