Eric Oliver
Mined Land Reforestation Specialist
Green Forests Work
Reforesting Appalachian Mined Land Using the Forestry Reclamation Approach.
Presentation Description: Eric will present on the success of Green Forests Work’s mined land reforestation program. He will provide an overview of the nature of the problem and why special techniques are required for forests to establish on drastically disturbed lands. Many of the projects have incorporated blight-resistant American Chestnuts along with other native species that are common throughout the temperate forest ecosystem of Appalachia.
About the Speaker: Eric is a Mined Land Reforestation Specialist for the non-profit Green Forests Work (GFW). GFW is through the University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. His position is located within Pennsylvania and focuses on reforesting the 10’s of thousands of acres of forest in PA that have been lost to mining. The focus is on restoring the temperate forest ecology to a native state that existed prior to mineral extraction using the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative’s Forestry Reclamation Approach.
GFW’s vision is to create a renewable and sustainable multi-use resource that will provide economic opportunities while enhancing the local and global environment. By converting reclaimed, non-native grasslands and shrublands into healthy, productive forestland, GFW is effectively addressing two needs of the region. Our reforestation projects provide jobs for equipment operators, nursery workers, and tree planters, and improve the environment by eradicating non-native species and restoring ecosystem services.
Prior to working for GFW, Eric was a Mineral Resources Program Specialist for the PA DEP Bureau of Mining Programs. He currently lives in Tyrone, PA and is the caretaker for the Plummers Hollow Private Nature Preserve.
Sanford S. Smith, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor of Forest Resources and Extension Specialist, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University
Conducting an Educational Program That You Will Enjoy Attending Too
Presentation Description: Adult learners prefer a supportive environment that respects what they already know and allows them to engage with and learn from their peers. This session will demonstrate and teach the easy “Peers and Pros” method anyone can use to teach others about the American Chestnut. It has been used effectively across the country for teaching numerous natural resources related topics to adults.
About the speaker: Sanford “Sandy” Smith is an Extension Specialist and Teaching Professor of Forest Resources at Penn State. His professional and academic expertise is in forestry and natural resources education programs for youth and adults. Smith has worked at the county, state, and international level (Poland and Nepal) over his 44-year career. He received a B.S. from the University of Maine, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Penn State.
Jesse K. Kreye, PhD
Associate Research Professor
Fire and Natural Resources Management
Department of Ecosystem Science & Management
Penn State University
Prescribed burning on private lands in Pennsylvania.
Presentation Description: Prescribed burning has become more widely used in Pennsylvania as a land management tool. Benefits of burning include providing wildlife habitat, maintaining grasslands, fostering oak regeneration, as well as other ecological and social benefits. The PA Prescribed Burning Practices Act (2009) supports the use of prescribed burning through the recognition of its benefits as well as providing liability protection. While most burning occurs on public lands in PA, there is a strong demand for prescribed fire on private lands. A new PA Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Program should provide more opportunities for private landowners to use prescribed fire in the commonwealth.
About the speaker: Jesse Kreye is an Associate Research Professor of Fire and Natural Resources Management in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Penn State University. His research focuses on fire and vegetation feedback as well as the efficacy of prescribed burning as a land management tool. He has worked in fire management with the Minnesota DNR and the USDA Forest Service in California and previously taught at Humboldt State University in California and the University of Florida.