The role of networks in safeguarding mountain futures:insights from the Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network

The uncertain future of the world’s mountain spaces creates an immediate need for collaborative, timely, and innovative approaches to address complex and changing challenges. Over the past decade, the Mountain Sentinels Collaborative Network (MSCN) has led a transdisciplinary, international network of partners and local community members to address critical social-ecological sustainability challenges facing mountain communities. The MSCN’s goals have been accomplished through building capacity and leveraging resources among network participants, researching relevant global modeling frameworks, fostering relationships, utilizing approaches that link science with policy and practice, and integrating local knowledge and expertise. The fellows’ program has funded projects to address local problems, supporting mountain communities’ resilience. Furthermore, the MSCN developed various resources and opportunities for network participants including hosting interactive workshops, convening virtual spaces for connections, advising partner initiatives, and supporting career development. These initiatives resulted in a new approach to guide the implementation of environmental transdisciplinary work known as Science with Society, and the development of a sister network in Africa, among other accomplishments that inform and support mountain sustainability. The work of the MSCN continues by building on its efforts and successes and cocreating collective impact to improve and enhance the future of global mountain ecosystems