RESEARCH

This page is designed to track current and past research endeavors seeking knowledge and technologies for sustainability. We hope that this site will be used as a networking tool for students and faculty interested in researching solutions to local and global issues of sustainability.

MONTANA FOREST CONSERVATION EXPERIMENT STATION

The Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station (MFCES) is a state-wide agency and the research unit of the College of Forestry and Conservation. It was founded in 1937 and is responsible for administering a very active research and outreach program across Montana and the World.

The MFCES owns and manages two properties for research and outreach-Lubrecht Experimental Forest, a 28,000 forest approximately 30 miles from Missoula and Bandy Experimental Ranch, a 3600 acre mountain ranch about 50 miles from Missoula, both within the Blackfoot River drainage. MFCES scientists also have access to a wide variety of lands owned by others in western and central Montana.

LUBRECHT EXPERIMENTAL FOREST

The Lubrecht Experimental Forest is a 28,000 acre outdoor classroom and laboratory located 30 miles northeast of Missoula, Montana in the Blackfoot River drainage. The Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station of the University of Montana owns and operates 21,000 acres of the Forest.

As part of its duel function of research and training, the Lubrecht Experimental Forest serves as a field laboratory for the education of foresters. Students from the School of Forestry spend two weeks in a residential camp where they receive field-oriented instruction in mensuration, ecology, wildlife and water measurements, and forest protection. In addition, both undergraduate and graduate students use the forest to further their education in forestry and the related fields of range, wildlife, fire management and watershed management.

To learn more visit Lubrecht Forest

BANDY RANCH

Bandy Ranch is a 3,436-acre working cattle ranch operated by the School of Forestry. Both University of Montana and the Montana State University Agricultural Experiment Station conduct research on the ranch. The ranch, located 18 miles northeast of the Lubrecht Forest, was the bequest of Edward Bandy, Jr. in 1989.

BIOLOGICAL STATION ON FLATHEAD LAKE

The Flathead Lake Biological Station is a state-of-the-art ecological research and education center located in the Rocky Mountains near Glacier National Park. We conduct public workshops, college courses, graduate programs and research focused on the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. To learn more visit: Biological Station on Flathead Lake

CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

The primary research mission of the Center is to advance knowledge of environmental impacts on human health. The Center brings together a critical mass of researchers to investigate mechanisms of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, immune and autoimmune disorders, developmental defects, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic susceptibility, and the impacts that environmental factors have in causing or exacerbating these conditions. To learn more visit: The Center for Environmental Health Sciences

CLANCY GORDON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LABORATORY

The Clancy Gordon Environmental Science Laboratory is the only teaching and research laboratory available to the Environmental Studies Program (EVST). Many EVST graduate students have used it during their thesis research, and undergraduate classes that conduct environmental science research use the lab. To learn more visit: Clancy Gordon Environmental Science Laboratory

THE NUMERICAL TERRADYNAMIC SIMULATION GROUP

The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group is a lab pioneering new approaches for addressing regional ecological problems. The mission of NTSG is "to develop capabilities to quantitatively describe the structure and function of ecosystems, from regional to global scales, using emerging technologies in satellites, geographic information systems, computer simulation and visualization, and biophysical theory." To learn more visit: The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group

RIVER CENTER

CRSSR is an interdisciplinary research group advancing our knowledge of natural stream function and developing methods and procedures to mitigate impacted stream systems. Based at The University of Montana, CRSSR is involved with a number of fluvial and hydrogeologic research programs. To learn more visit: River Center

UM BIO-ENERGY

UM Bio-Energy develops alternative energy technologies. To learn more visit: UM Bio-Energy

WATERSHED HEALTH CLINIC

The UM Watershed Health Clinic focused on cooperation and problem solving, with a particular focus on Clark Fork Basin watersheds. Your watershed needs CPR: Conservation, Preservation and Restoration. Let them help you create a Watershed CPR plan for your watershed.

To learn more visit: Watershed Health Clinic

UM FLAT

The UM FLAT is an experiential live-in resource (house) for UM students demonstrating the practicality of sustainable living. By experimenting with and educating others about the social, ethical, and environmental benefits of appropriate technology, the UM FLAT will help to establish the University of Montana as a model for exhibiting efficient building practices. The ultimate goal of the UM FLAT is to encourage the development of efficient and affordable homes for a sustainable society. By retro-fitting an existing home the utility of the UM FLAT demonstration resources could be easily applied to the Missoula community.

To learn more about the FLAT visit: UM FLAT

Click here for an inventory of UM programs that contribute to sustainability by building environmental literacy & knowledge through research.