A recent article in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association was entitled, "Is Urban Stream Restoration Worth It?" As any economist worth her salt will tell you, the answer is "it depends" - on how the goals of restoration are measured, on the assumptions that are made about "worth," and on whose values matter. In this presentation, Dr. Bouvier will review what ecologists need to know about economics - to be able to recognize a "good" economic study from a bad one, to reveal the hidden assumptions within an economic study, and to make sure that the "right" values are included. Like it or not, there is power in economic arguments and measures. Using economic language helps ensure that ecological restoration is on equal footing with other, more marketable services.

Rachel Bouvier is founder and principal of rbouvier consulting, a consulting firm specializing in environmental and natural resource economics. Rachel earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she focused on the relationship between economic development and environmental quality. She also holds a Master's degree in Resource Economics and Community Development from the University of New Hampshire. She is keenly interested in demonstrating the economic value of environmental protection and conservation.