It's our 10th Anniversary!

"Reclaiming our Past - Shaping our Future"

A Personal Invitation

To our Partners in Reclamation and Preservation:

The Annual Pennsylvania Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation is 10 years old in 2008 and will be held on August 12 - 14, 2008 at the Ramada Inn in State College.

This year, in addition to providing learning, sharing, and networking opportunities for those involved in Abandoned Mine Reclamation work, we're proud to be doing something special to commemorate our 10th year anniversary. We've added a new component focusing on Coal Mining Heritage and its preservation.

We've noticed time and again that many of the same people who are committed to restoring the environment from the legacy problems from old coal mining are equally interested and involved in the history and culture of coal mining, especially as it involves their own communities.

The conference organizing committee, comprised of individuals personally committed to the reclamation of abandoned min elands and water-- some professionals, some working at the grassroots level, welcomes seasoned reclamationists, preservationists, and interested newcomers to the Conference. The committee invites you to explore all of the opportunities afforded by the 2008 Conference including the opportunity to learn about what others are doing to preserve our Coal Mining Heritage.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Conference!

- The 2008 PA AMR and Coal Mining Heritage Conference Organizing Committee

Abandoned Mine Reclamation (Tuesday, August 12, 2008)

This conference has been a staple for local grassroots organizations who've decided to engage a long-time adversary - the environmental problems left over from the unregulated days of coal mining. In Pennsylvania alone those problems include nearly a quarter of million acres of mine-scarred land, and well over 5,000 stream miles polluted by abandoned mine drainage (AMD).

The conference provides a wealth of information and networking opportunities to the volunteers of watershed associations who are working in their own communities, addressing these legacy mining issues one problem at a time. Read more »

Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Coal Mining Heritage - The Ties That Bind Us (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)

On the surface, the ties between Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Coal Mining Heritage may not be immediately obvious. Yet dig a little, and you'll find plenty. Our second day is a bridge day, which will make the transition from Abandoned Mine Reclamation to Coal Mining Heritage with a unique mix of presenters and topics that should prove informative and fascinating.

Coal Mining Heritage (Thursday, August 14, 2008)

This conference will feature presentations on the rich heritage of coal mining and existing efforts to preserve that heritage. While we know of organizations scattered throughout both coal regions working to preserve our coal mining heritage, little is out there to connect one with another. This conference will provide an opportunity to meet like-minded folks with whom you'll be able to exchange stories, ideas, and strategies. If you think it's worth it to preserve our unique coal mining heritage for future generations, this is the conference for you!