Learning by doing: Education in ecological restoration at Northern Arizona University

In the Southwest, where forest ecosystems have been widely degraded, Northern Arizona University has begun offering an interdisciplinary focus on forest restoration. A course in the principles of restoration addresses such issues as reference conditions, the impact of indigenous peoples on the landscape, and natural variability versus accelerated anthropogenic change. An applications course includes hands-on experience in restoring a ponderosa pine forest and calculating the costs of implementation. Through practical study and applied research, the program is intended to support the preparation of future participants in a growing field.