An expanding economy relies heavily on the goods and services provided by natural resources and the environment. Over thelast twenty years a degraded environment and ideological battles over the use of natural resources have negatively impacted economies, communities and the standard of living for urban and in particular rural Americans . In addition, more and more dollars are being diverted from activities to improve the standard of living for citizens towards remediating the problems created by degraded ecosystems. Ecosystems are linked to the global issue of climate change. Finally, a healthy and robust natural environment is one of the key quality of life factors that businesses and people consider when they decide to relocate.
Ecological restoration is a relatively new and expanding field of scientific study.
Educational experience in ecosystem restoration enhances the marketability of students in environmental and natural resource management fields. We have been fortunate to attract intelligent, motivated students and faculty with an interest in this field. The programs at NAU represent experience, geographic distribution and ecosystem diversity that together provide the foundation for a premier national program of study. These programs will be principally housed and developed with widespread participation in the new Environmental Research and Development Building. The Ecological Restoration Institute .