Alan came to Forest Service Research in 1988 and has directed the social science program both before and since transformation of the Forest Service Wilderness Research Work Unit to the Leopold Institute. An early career emphasis on monitoring to protect visitor experiences has broadened to include research on ecosystem services, engaging tribal entities in climate change issues, protecting wilderness as a cultural landscape, conflict, trends in use and users, managing special provisions in legislation, and social barriers to ecological restoration, primarily fire. Alan has represented the Leopold Institute three times on Fulbright appointments (Finland, Russia and Brazil), serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Wilderness, and he represents the Leopold Institute and partner agencies on the Executive Committee of the World Wilderness Congress.
Alan Watson
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Missoula, Montana