Practical Training for Environmental Professionals

The Environmental Professional Program (EPP) at Portland State University provides intensive, short-course training for scientists, consultants, and natural resource professionals working in restoration, watershed management, and environmental regulation.

Courses are taught by experienced practitioners from government agencies, consulting firms, nonprofits, and universities. Participants gain practical, up-to-date skills they can immediately apply in the field.

Many courses combine classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork, giving participants experience with the tools and methods used in environmental assessment, restoration planning, and regulatory compliance.

Why Choose the Environmental Professional Program?

EPP has trained environmental professionals across the Pacific Northwest for more than two decades. The program emphasizes applied skills and real-world practice. 

Participants benefit from:

  • Instruction from practicing experts in restoration ecology, wetland science, and environmental management
  • Short, intensive courses designed for working professionals
  • Hands-on field training in real restoration and assessment settings
  • Professional development credits, including CEUs and PDHs for many courses
  • A regional network of environmental practitioners and instructors

Professional Certificates

Students collecting samples from stream

EPP offers several certificate programs:

  • Introduction to River Restoration Survey (on-demand, online)
  • River Restoration
  • Advanced River Restoration
  • Wetland Delineation

Courses & Training

Willamette River with Steel Bridge in background

EPP offers short courses throughout the year on topics, including:

  • Wetland delineation
  • River restoration processes and design
  • Site evaluation and assessment tools
  • Restoration project management

Who Participates?

Participants come from a wide range of organizations across the environmental sector, including:

  • Federal and state agencies
  • Tribal governments
  • Environmental consulting firms
  • Watershed councils and nonprofits
  • Natural resource and land management organizations

Diversity Scholarship

EPP offers a Diversity Scholarship to support participation by individuals from communities historically underrepresented in environmental professions. The $4,000 scholarship can be used for tuition for the five core classes of the River Restoration Certificate. 

The application window for 2026 has closed. Applications for 2027 funding are now being accepted. Applicants should submit a resume and a brief letter (one page) describing their career goals and need for financial support. One scholarship will be awarded. Applications are due January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Please email your application as a single PDF or Word document to epp@pdx.edu.

Contact

For questions or more information, email the Environmental Professional Program at epp@pdx.edu or contact us by phone at 503-725-8303.