Ecological Restoration Institute
@eri-nau.bsky.social
Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University //
Understanding and restoring western forests.
Understanding and restoring western forests.
Fuel treatments impact burn severity, even in extreme conditions. They moderate wildfire severity & boost forest resilience. But success depends on forest type, weather & history. #WildfireScience
Read the study here: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Read the study here: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
October 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Fuel treatments impact burn severity, even in extreme conditions. They moderate wildfire severity & boost forest resilience. But success depends on forest type, weather & history. #WildfireScience
Read the study here: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Read the study here: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Yesterday at the Flagstaff Festival of Science, we explored how LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) lets us see forests in 3D detail...from tree spacing and canopy layers to surface fuels.
September 24, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Yesterday at the Flagstaff Festival of Science, we explored how LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) lets us see forests in 3D detail...from tree spacing and canopy layers to surface fuels.
Strong partnerships build strong forests. 🌲 Since 2021, the Ecological Restoration Institute and USDA Forest Service have teamed up on the Logging & Forest Roads Institute: training pros in logging systems, road engineering & sustainable forest management. #ForestRestoration #WorkingForests
September 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Strong partnerships build strong forests. 🌲 Since 2021, the Ecological Restoration Institute and USDA Forest Service have teamed up on the Logging & Forest Roads Institute: training pros in logging systems, road engineering & sustainable forest management. #ForestRestoration #WorkingForests
New in Scientific Data: TWIG, a nationwide open-access database linking fuel treatments with wildfire records. By making big data accessible, TWIG helps us ask bigger questions, and find smarter solutions, for forests and communities.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
tinyurl.com/2rkce67y
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
tinyurl.com/2rkce67y
September 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
New in Scientific Data: TWIG, a nationwide open-access database linking fuel treatments with wildfire records. By making big data accessible, TWIG helps us ask bigger questions, and find smarter solutions, for forests and communities.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
tinyurl.com/2rkce67y
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
tinyurl.com/2rkce67y
Heading to the 17th Biennial Conference of Science & Management at NAU? Don’t miss ERI sessions on forest restoration, collaboration, biochar & more! 🌲 Science + partnerships shaping resilient Southwest forests. #ColoradoPlateau #ForestRestoration
September 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Heading to the 17th Biennial Conference of Science & Management at NAU? Don’t miss ERI sessions on forest restoration, collaboration, biochar & more! 🌲 Science + partnerships shaping resilient Southwest forests. #ColoradoPlateau #ForestRestoration
Catch the Ecological Restoration Institute at the #FlagstaffFestivalofScience! Learn more: scifest.org/schedule-2025/
August 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Catch the Ecological Restoration Institute at the #FlagstaffFestivalofScience! Learn more: scifest.org/schedule-2025/
To evaluate restoration effectiveness at a landscape scale, we monitored changes in forest structure and tree growth across a 5,224-acre ponderosa pine–Gambel oak forest.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased
July 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
To evaluate restoration effectiveness at a landscape scale, we monitored changes in forest structure and tree growth across a 5,224-acre ponderosa pine–Gambel oak forest.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased
To evaluate restoration effectiveness at a landscape scale, ERI scientists monitored changes in forest structure and tree growth across a 5,224-acre ponderosa pine–Gambel oak forest in AZ.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased.
July 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
To evaluate restoration effectiveness at a landscape scale, ERI scientists monitored changes in forest structure and tree growth across a 5,224-acre ponderosa pine–Gambel oak forest in AZ.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased.
21 years after treatment, total tree density had declined by 56%, and structural heterogeneity had increased.
Since 1995, researchers at the Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) have been studying long-term forest restoration at Mt. Trumbull to understand how thinning and prescribed fire influence ponderosa pine ecosystems over time.
July 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Since 1995, researchers at the Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) have been studying long-term forest restoration at Mt. Trumbull to understand how thinning and prescribed fire influence ponderosa pine ecosystems over time.
How do we measure wildfire treatment effectiveness and support better decisions on the ground?
Join us for a webinar on July 23rd at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: tnc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#WildfireScience #FireEcology
Join us for a webinar on July 23rd at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: tnc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#WildfireScience #FireEcology
July 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
How do we measure wildfire treatment effectiveness and support better decisions on the ground?
Join us for a webinar on July 23rd at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: tnc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#WildfireScience #FireEcology
Join us for a webinar on July 23rd at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: tnc.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#WildfireScience #FireEcology
Crews are measuring different parameters, like diameter at breast height (DBH), tree diversity, canopy cover, and other data points that we can compare with data collected over twenty years ago! By contrasting these same plots, we can better understand changes happening through the decades.
June 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Crews are measuring different parameters, like diameter at breast height (DBH), tree diversity, canopy cover, and other data points that we can compare with data collected over twenty years ago! By contrasting these same plots, we can better understand changes happening through the decades.
What’s a day in the life of our researchers during the summer? One of our crews is currently in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area within Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks, collecting data to better understand our forests.
June 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
What’s a day in the life of our researchers during the summer? One of our crews is currently in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area within Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks, collecting data to better understand our forests.
... by making firewood available to the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, and local northern Arizona communities. Our needs assessment documented local firewood needs and capacities for distribution in wood banks – read more to see our results! eri.nau.edu/wood-for-life/
June 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
... by making firewood available to the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, and local northern Arizona communities. Our needs assessment documented local firewood needs and capacities for distribution in wood banks – read more to see our results! eri.nau.edu/wood-for-life/
The Ecological Restoration Institute recently completed a needs assessment for the Wood For Life (WFL) partnership in Northern Arizona. WFL is a collaborative network supporting active forest management and restoration...
June 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Ecological Restoration Institute recently completed a needs assessment for the Wood For Life (WFL) partnership in Northern Arizona. WFL is a collaborative network supporting active forest management and restoration...
🌱In fire-adapted ecosystems, fire supports soil health by releasing and cycling nutrients and stimulating plant growth. Low-intensity burns clear debris and aid plant growth. In contrast, high-severity fires damage soil structure, kill beneficial organisms, and cause erosion and nutrient loss.
May 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
🌱In fire-adapted ecosystems, fire supports soil health by releasing and cycling nutrients and stimulating plant growth. Low-intensity burns clear debris and aid plant growth. In contrast, high-severity fires damage soil structure, kill beneficial organisms, and cause erosion and nutrient loss.
This #WildfireAwarenessMonth, access trusted resources to protect what matters most. Creating defensible space and reducing wildfire risk around your home can start with a rake and a few bags. Check out the guides and tools linked to this post.
#WildfirePreparedness #FireSafeCommunities
#WildfirePreparedness #FireSafeCommunities
May 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This #WildfireAwarenessMonth, access trusted resources to protect what matters most. Creating defensible space and reducing wildfire risk around your home can start with a rake and a few bags. Check out the guides and tools linked to this post.
#WildfirePreparedness #FireSafeCommunities
#WildfirePreparedness #FireSafeCommunities
When wildfires break out, firefighters need to make fast, strategic decisions—often with limited crews and equipment. That’s where PODs (Potential Operational Delineations) come in. These pre-mapped zones use features like roads, rivers, and ridgelines to outline the best places to contain fire. 🔥
April 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
When wildfires break out, firefighters need to make fast, strategic decisions—often with limited crews and equipment. That’s where PODs (Potential Operational Delineations) come in. These pre-mapped zones use features like roads, rivers, and ridgelines to outline the best places to contain fire. 🔥
We’re getting a lot of questions about the upcoming #wildfire season.
Check out the TWIG tool — it maps fuel treatments (completed + planned), current & past fires, and daily fire progressions since July 2024.
🌐 Explore: reshapewildfire.org/twig/layers
#ReSHAPE #TWIG #WildfirePreparedness
Check out the TWIG tool — it maps fuel treatments (completed + planned), current & past fires, and daily fire progressions since July 2024.
🌐 Explore: reshapewildfire.org/twig/layers
#ReSHAPE #TWIG #WildfirePreparedness
April 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
We’re getting a lot of questions about the upcoming #wildfire season.
Check out the TWIG tool — it maps fuel treatments (completed + planned), current & past fires, and daily fire progressions since July 2024.
🌐 Explore: reshapewildfire.org/twig/layers
#ReSHAPE #TWIG #WildfirePreparedness
Check out the TWIG tool — it maps fuel treatments (completed + planned), current & past fires, and daily fire progressions since July 2024.
🌐 Explore: reshapewildfire.org/twig/layers
#ReSHAPE #TWIG #WildfirePreparedness
A recent study by the Wildfire Research (WiRē1) team, supported by USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station engaged mobile home park residents who face higher wildfire risk due to dense housing, nearby combustibles, and limited resources. The study revealed several key barriers.
April 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
A recent study by the Wildfire Research (WiRē1) team, supported by USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station engaged mobile home park residents who face higher wildfire risk due to dense housing, nearby combustibles, and limited resources. The study revealed several key barriers.
🔥 How do we measure wildfire treatment effectiveness and support better decisions on the ground?
Join us for a webinar on May 15 at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Wildfire #FireEcology
Join us for a webinar on May 15 at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Wildfire #FireEcology
April 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
🔥 How do we measure wildfire treatment effectiveness and support better decisions on the ground?
Join us for a webinar on May 15 at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Wildfire #FireEcology
Join us for a webinar on May 15 at 1pm MT!
📊 Geospatial tools
🧠 Social science
🔥 Effectiveness research
💵 ROI studies
Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Wildfire #FireEcology
Grateful for our sister institutes in CO and NM. We work together to apply actionable knowledge to foster fire-resilient forests for the benefit of communities and nature. Happy #nationalsiblingsday to Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute!
April 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Grateful for our sister institutes in CO and NM. We work together to apply actionable knowledge to foster fire-resilient forests for the benefit of communities and nature. Happy #nationalsiblingsday to Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute!
The spatial pattern of trees and tree groups retained after thinning are key factors in determining wildlife habitat quality.
Creating and sustaining wildlife habitat is a key component of management plans.
Creating and sustaining wildlife habitat is a key component of management plans.
April 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The spatial pattern of trees and tree groups retained after thinning are key factors in determining wildlife habitat quality.
Creating and sustaining wildlife habitat is a key component of management plans.
Creating and sustaining wildlife habitat is a key component of management plans.
It is important to note that researchers do not need to kill the tree to get fire scar samples. Most samples are taken from dead structures, like stumps, snags, and logs.
#ForestEcology #FireHistory #PonderosaPine #ScienceInTheField #FireEcology
#ForestEcology #FireHistory #PonderosaPine #ScienceInTheField #FireEcology
April 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
It is important to note that researchers do not need to kill the tree to get fire scar samples. Most samples are taken from dead structures, like stumps, snags, and logs.
#ForestEcology #FireHistory #PonderosaPine #ScienceInTheField #FireEcology
#ForestEcology #FireHistory #PonderosaPine #ScienceInTheField #FireEcology
Combined with other evidence, such as forest structure, plant trait, and soil core charcoal
data, scientists can more accurately determine the set of natural forest conditions that existed prior to Euro-American settlement
data, scientists can more accurately determine the set of natural forest conditions that existed prior to Euro-American settlement
April 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Combined with other evidence, such as forest structure, plant trait, and soil core charcoal
data, scientists can more accurately determine the set of natural forest conditions that existed prior to Euro-American settlement
data, scientists can more accurately determine the set of natural forest conditions that existed prior to Euro-American settlement
By removing just a small portion of the circumference of the tree, like a small piece of pie, researchers can reconstruct the past. Fire scar dating methods are just one line of evidence scientists use to study historical fire regimes, or the frequency of fire, of ponderosa pine.
April 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
By removing just a small portion of the circumference of the tree, like a small piece of pie, researchers can reconstruct the past. Fire scar dating methods are just one line of evidence scientists use to study historical fire regimes, or the frequency of fire, of ponderosa pine.