The Governor's Restoration Forum
Post Forum Updates:
- Please email your ideas on restoration to: restorationideas@mt.gov
- Now available: Breakout Summaries & PowerPoint Presentations
June 8 & 9, 2006 | Sheraton Hotel | Billings, Montana
Economic and Public Benefits of Restoring Western Landscapes
Held in association with the 10th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium
More and more, as communities across the West consider their enormous restoration and reclamation needs, they see the promise of new, high paying jobs created by an emerging industry.
In Big Sky Country, we recognize that ecological integrity, healthy fish and wildlife populations, and abundant access to natural landscapes and public lands are significant contributors to our quality of life and economic growth. These amenities are leading to an influx of people and new businesses.
These recent economic and demographic trends make Governor Brian Schweitzer’s Restoration Forum timely. As Western leaders seek to tap into a new natural resource economy to attract investors, businesses, and workers they face the need to fund restoration and reclamation activities.
Throughout the West, watershed, forest, rangeland, and mine land reclamation projects abound. Community leaders similarly eye hometown needs like streamside walking-trail developments and natural-area improvements.
The Governor's Restoration Forum will bring conservation, labor, business, scientific, tribal, and community leaders to Billings—June 8-9, 2006—to advance the restoration of natural ecosystems and advocate for a revitalized federal commitment to funding restoration and reclamation activities.
Read an open letter from Governor Schweitzer to interested parties.
