New West Network

Forum: “Actualizing Montana’s Restoration Economy”

By Matthew Koehler, New West Unfiltered 10-17-06

The WildWest Institute's fall 2006 Northern Rockies Nature Forum series continues Tuesday, October 24 with Actualizing Montana's Restoration Economy. Panelist for the forum include:

* Pat Williams, Senior Fellow, O'Conner Center for the Rocky Mountain West
* Marnie Criley, Restoration Coordinator, Wildlands CPR
* Dr. Dan Spencer, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies Program, University of Montana

"We have a tremendous opportunity here in the Northern Rockies to work together to build a sustainable restoration economy through activities such as watershed restoration and mine reclamation. Jobs created in the restoration economy require a highly skilled workforce and pay family wages, all while doing what's right for our land, water and wildlife," explained Jake Kreilick, Restoration Coordinator of the WildWest Institute.

The Northern Rockies Nature Forum is a series of community-oriented discussions on the ecology, biodiversity, restoration and future of natural landscapes in the Northern Rockies Bioregion. All Forums start at 7 pm in Room 106 of the University of Montana's Gallagher Business Building. They are free and open to the public. The format of the Forums will be short presentations (15 minutes) by each of the speakers followed by an hour of moderated question and answer from the audience.

The Fall 2006 Northern Rockies Nature Forum series continues throughout the fall with: Climate Change and the Northern Rockies (Nov 14); and the Future of Wilderness in the Wild Rockies (Dec 5).

For more information, contact the WildWest Institute at 542.7343 or visit www.wildwestinstitute.org.