Two general questions motivate Lassoie`s professional interests. First, what are the primary ecological and social variables underpinning the decision-making process related to conservation, natural resource and environmental management, and sustainable development? And second, how can local communities become more effectively involved in such decision-making processes. He is particularly interested in examining coupled human and natural systems involving the management of parks, protected areas, and otherwise fragile landscapes in developing countries as well as the United States. Lassoie pursues these interests often by working with graduate students, many from the countries under investigation. His primary focus for the next five years will be to examine coupled systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, while further developing an Internet-based platform connecting conservation practitioners to academic research and teaching institutions (www.ConservationBridge.org).