Wild Fish Habitat Initiative: Research and information database for restoration professionals

In recent years, many techniques regarding stream restoration and fish habitat enhancement have been implemented, but project results generally have not been shared or exist only in “gray literature,” where they are difficult to access.  The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative is a regional program, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), whose purpose is targeted research and technology transfer to provide technical information to project managers and professionals in the field of stream/riparian restoration science.  Our focus is on restoration specific to recovery of wild fish populations.  In addition to our research, we have a database of over 1000 publications and manuals reporting research and techniques in the field of restoration science.  We also have a collection of detailed case histories on outstanding stream restoration projects completed in the western U. S..  Projects selected: 1) are well-designed, based on investigation of the causes of degradation of fish habitat and/or stream hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological processes, and 2) have an effectiveness monitoring component assessing the “success” of the restoration project.  Our intent is to augment the success of the USFWS Partners Program and other restoration efforts by providing targeted research and  highly-technical bibliographic and case history information through a web-accessible database (http://wildfish.montana.edu).