The environmental lessons learned in Butte resulted in core restoration ecology knowledge, which has been applicable in many other affected communities.

Today's industry industry seeks graduates with expertise in mining, energy, transportation, and production, but who also understand how to design and conduct these activities in a sustainable, cost-effective way that minimizes long-term environmental damage and the associated clean-up, reclamation, and restoration costs.

Students learn about landscape/ecosystem restoration and how to plan industrial activities to avoid long-term ecological damage. They engage in restoring damaged landscapes; learning about permitting and site engineering; and how to reestablish, monitor, and maintain native vegetation.