Earle Layser, a 1965 graduate of the University of Montana, has made a gift of $1.5 million the College of Forestry and Conservation Tuesday to create an endowed professorship in conservation biology and policy.

Layser and his late wife Pattie worked together as writers, naturalists and journalists on conservation and natural history. During their travels, the couple experienced worldwide assault on America's greatest landscapes and wildlife.

"...., within that same landscape, we can also be leaders in demonstrating to the world how, in the future, to live in ecological and sustainable harmony with our wildlands and wildlife. It is toward that goal that Pattie and I are making this gift," Layser said.

The position will be called the Earle and Pattie Layser Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Conservation Biology and Policy. The latest donation will now increase the endowed faculty positions in the college to four. Others include the Joel and Patti Meier Wildland Recreation Management Chair, the John J. Craighead Chair of Wildlife Conservation, and the Boone and Crockett Professor of Wildlife Conservation.

Engstrom said that these endowed positions will help strengthen programs in wildlands, wildlife biology, conservation biology and natural resource policy.

"Through this generous gift, the University of Montana will do even more to preserve the natural resources of the land the Laysers love," UM President Royce Engstrom said in a statement. "We are grateful for their dedication to conservation education and research."

Jim Burchfield, dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation, said that the gift from Earle and Pattie Layser will deepen the school's focus on wildland conservation and policy. It will help students to better understand and value the connections between people, wildlife and landscapes in the West.