Erica Garroutte

Director of Research

Email: [[elgarroutte]]
IIC Contact For: Conservation Research Program
Social Media: LinkedIn - Erica Garroutte {{https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-garroutte-6783063a}}
Focus Areas: Community Engagement, Landscape Ecology, Community-led Conservation, Conservation Leadership Development, Partnerships

Biography

Erica Garroutte (she/her) was born and raised in Colorado, where her passion for environmental conservation and its connection to human well-being began. She is deeply committed to building relationships with local communities and supporting their efforts to protect their environments, recognizing the important role of communities in leading conservation of their ecosystems for the benefit of both local residents and the broader world.

Drawing on a master’s degree in Landscape Ecology and over 15 years of experience supporting community-led conservation initiatives in Colorado, East Africa, Mongolia, New Mexico, Nepal and Montana, Erica brings a collaborative and relationship-based approach to her work. She is especially passionate about building bridges across sectors, disciplines, and communities to drive effective conservation solutions.

As the IIC’s Director of Research, Erica leads efforts to connect W&M faculty, students, and external conservation partners in conducting applied research that advances integrative conservation outcomes. She also serves as a Professional Affiliate of the W&M Interdisciplinary Studies Program.