# Missoula Technology and Development Center

> Research center of the United States Forest Service

**Wikidata**: [Q131814805](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131814805)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/missoula-technology-and-development-center

## Summary
The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) is a research institute operated by the United States Forest Service. Located in Missoula, Montana, it serves as a technology and development center focused on research and innovation for forest management. MTDC was formerly known as the Missoula Equipment Development Center.

## Key Facts
- Instance of: research institute
- Located in: Montana
- Headquarters: Missoula
- Parent organization: United States Forest Service
- Replaces: Missoula Equipment Development Center
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/eng/techdev/mtdc.htm (English)
- ISNI: 0000000092097727
- FAST ID: 639193
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n88011021
- Aliases: Technology & Development Center (Missoula, Mont.), Technology and Development Center (Missoula, Mont.), MTDC
- Commons category: Missoula Technology and Development Center
- Yale LUX ID: group/f74ab55c-9252-4786-8cab-25159e8e7f77

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Missoula Technology and Development Center?
A: The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) is a research institute operated by the United States Forest Service, located in Missoula, Montana. It focuses on developing and testing technology and equipment for forest management and fire operations.

### Q: What was MTDC formerly known as?
A: MTDC was formerly known as the Missoula Equipment Development Center before it was renamed to the Missoula Technology and Development Center.

### Q: Where is MTDC located?
A: MTDC is located in Missoula, Montana, and serves as the headquarters for the United States Forest Service's technology and development research efforts.

## Why It Matters
The Missoula Technology and Development Center plays a crucial role in advancing forest management practices through research and innovation. As a research institute of the United States Forest Service, MTDC develops and tests new technologies, equipment, and methods that directly impact how forests are managed, fires are fought, and natural resources are protected. The center's work helps improve safety for wildland firefighters, enhances the efficiency of forest operations, and contributes to the scientific understanding of forest ecosystems. By bridging the gap between research and practical application, MTDC ensures that the latest technological advancements are effectively implemented in the field, ultimately supporting the Forest Service's mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands.

## Notable For
- Being the primary research and development center for the United States Forest Service
- Developing innovative technologies and equipment for wildland firefighting and forest management
- Transitioning from equipment development to broader technology and development research
- Maintaining a comprehensive online resource for forest technology and development information
- Serving as a bridge between scientific research and practical field applications in forestry

## Body
### History and Evolution
MTDC evolved from the Missoula Equipment Development Center, reflecting a broader mission that expanded beyond equipment to encompass technology and development research. This transition marked a significant shift in the center's approach to supporting forest management operations.

### Research Focus
The center conducts research across multiple domains relevant to forest management, including:
- Wildland fire equipment and technology
- Forest management tools and techniques
- Safety equipment and protocols for field operations
- Environmental monitoring and assessment technologies

### Technical Resources
MTDC maintains an extensive online presence through its official website, providing technical publications, research findings, and development reports to forest managers and researchers nationwide. The center's resources are primarily available in English and serve as a comprehensive knowledge base for forest technology applications.

### Organizational Structure
As a research institute under the United States Forest Service, MTDC operates with specific focus on applied research and development. The center's work directly supports field operations and policy implementation across the national forest system.

### Identification and Classification
The center is classified as a research institute in various knowledge databases and maintains multiple identifiers including ISNI, FAST ID, and Library of Congress authority records, ensuring its recognition as a distinct research entity within the scientific and governmental research community.