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.