October 2006 Update
The original 2005-2006 proposal to explore a graduate program in river restoration at the University of Washington (proposal, 7-22-05) had several tasks: to articulate what such a program would look like, to identify what level of interests existed within the University and in the outside professional community, to determine what resources were already available, and to quantify what new resources would be needed to move forward. The outcomes of that effort have been posted since late spring (proposal, 5-22-06); its summary is posted at (Fact Sheet, 6-12-06).
Our work, not surprisingly, showed that interest is high both inside and outside of the University, that we have both opportunity and many ongoing resources to support such a program, but that a few faculty positions would need to be focused directly on this program. Over the spring of 2006 we sought to identify potential resources to support these dedicated faculty positions, but without success. Although we do not believe that this outcome negates the support we heard from many quarters, it does impose at least a temporary, and perhaps permanent, limit on any further progress. As such, and with regret, we are returning to our other activities while leaving the goal of a graduate river restoration program unrealized for now.
For those who are advising students (or are yourselves) interested in river restoration, the most coherent graduate-level program is presently at the University of Minnesota (http://www.nced.umn.edu/sr_certificate_uofm). It is a close analog to the proposal we made here at UW (indeed, the two were developed in close consultation). The difference is that the UMinn program is fully functional and accepting students for the upcoming academic year.
For those already in the profession, Portland State University (http://epp.esr.pdx.edu/riverrest.html)
also has recently started a program with similar goals and approaches
(also developed, in part, in coordination with our work). It too is
accepting students, albeit with a class format designed for working professionals.
We
anticipate that the opportunities to pursue this type of education will
be expanding rapidly over the next several years, based on the
number of
universities that have incipient programs and that have participated
in recent workshops. We regret that the University of Washington
may not join
their
ranks, but at least other opportunities will exist for those interested
in finding them.
Derek Booth
David Montgomery
Anne Steinemann
University of Washington
October 18th, 2006