Four members of the American Society of Reclamation Sciences (ASRS) traveled to Shenyang China August 24-26, 2024 to attend the Fourth International Symposium on Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration (LRER). These four members were:
- Yoginder (Paul) Chugh – Professor Emeritus, College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL and Honorary Professor, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
- Brenda K. Schladweiler – Current President of ASRS and President of BKS Environmental Associates, Inc. in Gillette, WY
- Jennifer Franklin – Professor of Forest Restoration, School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
- Gwen Geidel – Affiliate and Distinguished Research Professor Emerita, School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
On the first day of the symposium, these members presented perspectives on evaluating disturbance on various ecosystems across the United States of America with the ultimate goal of how to assess and value that disturbance. Dr. Chugh provided an overall introduction leading to specific ecosystems. The ecosystems represented by Schladweiler, Franklin, and Geidel included: the Western USA (west of the Mississippi), the forested regions of the Midwestern USA and Appalachia, and the Southeastern USA. The next day a follow-up panel discussion was held to further discuss presented concepts and allow audience members to ask questions.
Following the closing of the symposium, members completed the following as directed by our Chinese hosts:
- Teaching of classes at various universities (Northeast University of Technology-Shenyang; Liaoning University, Fuxin; and Liaoning Department of Natural Resources, Shenyang and Beijing).
- Site tours of active surface coal mines or historical underground mines
- Cities or regions visited included
- Fushun
- Harbin
- Shuangyashanxi
- Baoqing
- Nanjing
- Xuzhou
- Beijing
China and the University of Tennessee are collaborating on a reclamation/restoration project beginning in 2024. Dr. Jennifer Franklin is the lead collaborator for the USA. Chinese and American collaborators met in the USA during the annual meeting of the ASRS in Knoxville Tennessee in June and toured various reclaimed areas in the general area. Information from the Shenyang presentations will be summarized as needed to provide assistance in this collaboration project.
