Montana Forest & Conservation Experiment Station Centers, Institutes, and Special Programs


The Applied Forest Management Program

An applied research entity to develop and promote silvicultural management knowledge to the full spectrum of Montana’s 11,000 forest landowners.

The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project

The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management/Research Project is exploring and demonstrating ecosystem-based management in northern Rocky Mountain forests. The project focuses on the Bitterroot National Forest, a complex of grassland, forest, and alpine ecosystems in western Montana and northeastern Idaho.

Bolle Center for People and Forests

The Bolle Center strengthens integrated forestry and conservation education, research and service through teaching and programming special events at The University of Montana and collaborating with communities, organizations, and governmental agencies in the US mountain west and internationally.

Boone and Crockett Wildlife Conservation Research Program

The Boone and Crockett program conducts research on wildlife conservation and integrated resource management, primarily on private lands. Ongoing studies include the interface between wildlife and ranching, the culture and environmental history of ranching, geomorphology, hydrologic, and the economics of wildlife conservation in a ranch setting.

Hazard Reduction/Ecosystem Restoration Study in Pine/Fir Forests – Montana

This interdisciplinary study, part of the Fire and Fire Surrogates national network, is designed to evaluate the effects of alternative hazard reduction treatments in fire-adapted forests. Knowledge gained from this long-term study is being used in conjunction with results from other network sites to develop local, regional, and national guidelines to assist managers in prioritizing areas for treatment, designing effective treatments, and predicting treatment outcomes.

Inland Northwest Growth and Yield Cooperative

INGY researches technical problems and concerns associated with the growth and yield of forests in the Inland Northwest through the support and cooperation of private industry, federal agencies, consulting firms , the Nez Perce tribe, and other universities the region.

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research

ITRR provides research leadership and assistance to Montana's tourism and recreation industry. ITRR's research enables public and private segments of Montana's tourism and recreation industry to plan, market, develop, and manage tourism and recreation resources effectively

The National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis

The National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis is a locus for research, learning, and technology development located within The College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana, Missoula. Its work depends upon collaborative relationships with federal, state, and local partners engaged in fire, fuels management, and research in the western United States.

Numerical Terradynmaic Simulation Group (NTSG)

NTSG uses satellites, geographic information systems, computer simulation and visualization, and biophysical theory to develop new techniques for addressing regional ecological problems. NTSG project examine all scales of ecological study from one-acre plots to the entire terrestrial biosphere.

PRIMENet

PRIMENet is a joint Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Park Service (NPS) program to assess the effects of environmental stressors on ecological systems nation wide. A system of 14 monitoring and research sites have been established in National Parks. This network of monitoring and research locations uses the park units as "outdoor laboratories," where environmental changes are monitored through time in relatively undisturbed sites.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator office is located on the University of Montana Campus. This office facilitates grizzly bear research between state and federal agencies as well as with universities. These research projects advance grizzly bear recovery as outlined in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.

Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit - (RM-CESU)

The Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (RM-CESU) is a cooperative venture between 11 leading academic programs in the Rocky Mountain Region and 7 Federal land management and natural resource research organizations serving the region. The University of Montana serves as host to the RM-CESU. To date the United States had been divided into 12 biogeographic regions, each to be served by a distinct CESU, with all regions connected in one National Network. The overriding goal of the CESU Network is to improve the scientific base for managing federal lands by providing resource managers with high-quality scientific research, technical assistance, and education.

Wilderness Institute

The Wilderness Institute develops information for resource managers and citizens, conducts continuing and public education programs, helps develop the expertise wildland decision-making requires, and administers the University of Montana's Wilderness and Civilization educational programs.