Emerging restoration industry needs employees

By Tim Trainor - 10/03/2008

About 50 scientists and educators gathered Thursday at Montana Tech to discuss how the state can become a national leader in the emerging field of restoration.

They talked about how the state's colleges and universities can best prepare its students and improve the region's natural resources.

Doug Abbott, Tech's vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the school has unique attributes that could draw restoration students.

Namely, the Berkeley Pit.

"Some look at it as an eyesore," said Abbott. "We look at it as a lab." Matt Vincent, program administrator of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program, noted that he walks a reclaimed railroad grade each day to work and that even Tech property lies in the Superfund site.

"The need, and the ability to study restoration, is right here in our backyard," he said.

Bruce Maxwell of Montana State University said that the average annual salary, many of which start in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, can help attract students.

Cara Nelson of the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana said that qualified employees in restoration are an "urgent need" nationwide, and in Montana in particular.

Nelson said, however, that Montana colleges need to offer more classes, more majors and more internships in the field if they want to become national leaders.

She said only 17 four-year programs in restoration are offered nationwide, and half of them were created in the last five years.

The rest of the country is expanding its restoration programs, said Nelson, and Montana must keep pace.

Reporter Tim Trainor can be reached at tim.trainor@lee.net.