Restoration and remediation of land and water is a worldwide concern that has brought many scientists together to create solutions and share ideas.

Doctoral environmental student and friend Beatriz Firpo of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brzel created an experience such as the one described when she came to tour some of the passive treatment systems in Western Pennsylvania recently.

Along side Beatriz traveled a master’s degree student, William LaBaree of Towson University in Maryland.  Leading the tour was Kelsea Palmer, a student intern from St. Francis University, working with the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition, Stream Restoration, Inc. and BioMost, Inc.

The first stop was a successful passive treatment system near the Pittsburgh International Airport installed through the efforts of the Montour Run Watershed Association and many project partners.

On their way north, Beatriz and William also visited the SRWC offices in order to check out the pottery of Clean Creek Products and learn more about the efforts of the SRWC to restore our streams.

Of course no tour would be complete without stopping by the Jennings Environmental Education Center.  The JEEC site allowed Beatriz and LaBarre to see some new ideas in action such as the demonstration of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, where chestnuts and other desirable species are prospering on abandoned mine soils, as well as innovations relating to passive treatment technology.

In Brazil, Beatriz and her colleagues work toward the revitalization of the soil at abandoned mine sites and the re-vegetation that is require to restore and secure the ecosystem.

The day of the tour consisted of much conversation about the progress and successful results of addressing environmental issues with passive technology.

We always love to see our friends from Brazil and appreciate Carlos Schneider for recommending that Beatriz visit some of our sites and for his continued implementation and interest in environmentally-friendly mine restoration efforts!

(Reprinted from the August issue of The Catalyst, Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition)

9/3/2012