- Division of Ecological Restoration
With trillions of dollars invested annually in ecological restoration worldwide, the need for trained and skilled restoration specialists increases every year. Yet, few academic institutions offer the necessary academic and practical training for students interested in careers in restoration. In 2016, DER commissioned a study in collaboration with Westfield State University to evaluate the need for and availability of restoration science related curriculum and degree programs in institutions of higher learning.
Two take-home messages emerged from the report. First, although the number of ecological restoration science programs increased nationally over the past decade, the demand for trained professionals increased at an even greater pace. In the Northeast, only two institutions have restoration programs. Second, the 2016 report made a good case for the need for additional restoration science educational opportunities at universities in Massachusetts to fill both the interest of students in restoration and the employment opportunities.
The report cited Westfield State University as being in a favorable position to develop a degree program in ecological restoration for several reasons: a number of courses already offered at the school are relevant to a restoration degree program; many faculty have restoration experience; and the University has a strong collaboration with DER.
Over the summer, Westfield State University expanded its student’s opportunities to learn about the restoration field by hiring a new Environmental Science faculty position with a special emphasis on restoration science. DER is pleased to welcome Lauren DiCarlo, Ph.D. as the new Assistant Professor at Westfield State University. Dr. DiCarlo is a New England native, completed her Ph.D. at Oregon State University and has a long list of interesting research and restoration undertakings in the U.S. and abroad. Her first semester at Westfield State University brings an initial targeted offering in ecological restoration techniques. The class proved popular and was quickly filled with eager students. Students will be able to continue to quench their interest in restoration next semester when ecological restoration theory is added to the ‘menu’.
Dr. DiCarlo summed up her vision for expanding the field within the WSU Environmental Science Department with these words: “My hope is that these courses will prepare students to work in ecological restoration--by not only introducing the fundamentals of restoring disturbed lands and ecosystems but by providing the hands-on skills necessary to critically assess degradation, implement preferred plans, and measure restoration success. In addition, many of these skills will be useful in alternative fields including natural resources, conservation, etc.”
Many students jumped at the chance to take her first restoration course. Vanessa Parmeggiani explained why she signed on, “When I heard about this class, it opened an opportunity for me to finally be able to learn how to make a difference by restoring what we have lost over the years. I want to have a green world full of nature and beauty.”
Vanessa is not the only student considering a career in restoration ecology. Linnea Skoglund has great plans for her future, “Growing up with an active outdoors background has given me a feeling of responsibility to protect and restore the natural world, and this course has provided me the opportunity to learn how to do that as a future career.”
Westfield State is fulfilling a real need in the ecological sciences and DER looks forward to working with Dr. DiCarlo, the Environmental Sciences staff and the students as the program grows.
Photo: Dr. Lauren DiCarlo
