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CORE AND SCIENCE TEAMS __________________________ FOREST RECLAMATION ADVISORIES __________________________ FORESTRY RECLAMATION APPROACH __________________________
IN THE NEWS __________________________ MINED LAND REFORESTATION CONFERENCES __________________________ PLANTING TREES ON LEGACY MINES __________________________ REFORESTATION AWARDS __________________________ REFORESTATION RESEARCH __________________________ STATE AND PRIVATE NURSERIES __________________________ STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT

 

 

 

VIRGINIA REFORESTATION RESEARCH

Dr. James Burger, Professor of Forest Soil Science Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Forestry
and
Dr. Carl Zipper, Associate Professor Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Director, Powell River Project Smyth Hall Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Telephone: (540) 231-9782 E-mail: czip@vt.edu VT Tech Bio

The Powell River Project is a cooperative program of Virginia Tech and the coal industry that sponsors research and education programs to enhance restoration of coal-mined lands in Virginia and other eastern states.

Since its founding in 1980, Powell River Project has been a sponsor of mine reforestation research conducted by Dr. James Burger and his associates in the Virginia Tech Department of Forestry. Powell River Project’s Research and Education Center, an 1100 acre area in Wise County, Virginia, hosts mine reforestation research sites and demonstration areas developed by Dr. Burger.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Powell River Project, Dr. Carl Zipper conducts research that addresses carbon sequestration through reforestation of reclaimed mine areas, and he works with coal mining firms and reclamation agencies to aid application of reforestation research results in active mining.

The Powell River

How to Restore Forests on Surface-Mined Land J.A. Burger and C.E. Zipper. Publication 460-123. [updated 2009]
Establishing Ground Cover for Forested Post-Mining Land Uses.
J.A. Burger, C. Zipper, J. Skousen. Publication 460-124. [updated 2009]
Restoring the Value of Forests on Reclaimed Mined Land.
J.A. Burger and C. Zipper. Publication 460-138.[updated 2009]
Recovery of Native Plant Communities after  Mining
K. Holl, C.E. Zipper, and J.A. Burger. Publication 460-140. [updated 2009]
Mine Permitting to Establish Productive Forests as Post-Mining Land Uses
J.A. Burger and C.E. Zipper. Publication 460-141. [updated 2009]

All of the above studies and additional research can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.cses.vt.edu/PRP/VCE_Pubs.html

For more information about surface mine reforestation research in Virginia, please
visit our website or contact:

Dr. James Burger
Professor Emeritus, Forestry and Soil Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Forest Conservation and Environmental Resources
Cheatham Hall
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
E-mail: jaburger@vt.edu

Dr. Carl Zipper
Director, Powell River Project
Associate Professor
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
Smyth Hall
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Telephone: (540) 231-9782
E-mail: czip@vt.edu
VA Tech Bio

Dr. Brian D. Strahm
Assistant Professor of Forest Soils and Ecology
Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation
228 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Telephone: (540)231-8627
Fax: (540)231-3330
Department: (540)231-7672
E-mail: brian.strahm@vt.edu
VA Tech Bio

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