Integral Ecology Research Center has been a foundational pioneer in the research on how cannabis cultivation has impacted the environment. Since initiating our research program in 2010, and with the first scientific peer-reviewed paper IERC scientists published in 2012, we have expanded our research breadth to include numerous research and conservation projects to fully explore this topic. IERC has been continuously working to tease out the complex and dynamic interactions that cannabis cultivation has with the landscape and natural resources. As such, IERC has established a comprehensive research program dedicated to this issue, allowing IERC scientists to collaborate with other researchers, land managers and law enforcement agencies to lead the interdisciplinary exploration of this topic. This multifaceted program includes projects focused on abiotic (water, soil), biotic (wildlife, fish, plants) and human community studies as well as on-the-ground conservation through active restoration work.

For all these projects, IERC will publish the data in a scientific peer-reviewed open-access journal and present at regional and national scientific conferences in order to inform and educate fellow scientists, the public, policy makers, and natural resource agency personnel.

Come explore our extensive projects under our Cannabis and Environmental Science Program here

Explore scientific peer-reviewed publications from our Cannabis and Environmental Science Program here