Scientific research related to Earth surface processes focused on understanding each of many individual interacting systems (e.g., oceans, atmosphere, land surface, vegetation, soils) during and prior to the 20th c.  By the late 20th c., increasing attention was given to how these components interact and contribute to habitable and sustainable environments for humans and other species. More recently, researchers have examined the response of Earth systems to preservation or restoration and a suite of other human activities designed to foster habitability and sustainable ecosystem services. Many of these investigations overlap and blur the boundaries between science, sociology, management, and policy. This session focuses on how we can build upon our understanding of the Earth system to actually implement restoration, maintenance, and stewardship of already degraded Earth systems, and the myriad ways in which these efforts can most effectively engage the scientific community in public policy discussions.