The 10th Annual PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will be held at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College August 12-14 with the theme of “Reclaiming Our Past-Shaping Our Future.”

Online Video: See a Preview of the 2008 Conference

This year, in addition to providing learning, sharing, and networking opportunities for those involved in Abandoned Mine Reclamation work, the organizing committee is proud to be doing something special to commemorate our 10th 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 minelands and water– some professionals, some working at the grassroots level, welcomes seasoned reclamationists, preservationists, and interested newcomers to the 2008 Conference.

The committee invites you to explore all of the opportunities afforded by the 2008 Conference including the chance to learn about what others are doing to preserve our Coal Mining Heritage.

For those needing financial assistance to attend the Conference, we have limited funding available to help. If you are a watershed group member, representing a community organization, an employee of a non-profit organization or academic institution, or other qualifying designation, you will have the option to apply for financial aid to attend the conference.

With only a limited amount of financial aid funds available, the Conference Committee will do its best to ensure as many people as possible are able to obtain the financial assistance they need to attend. To help us with this goal, we only ask that those who are truly in need of financial aid ask for it.

The Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College has set aside a block of rooms at a special Conference room rate of $81.38/night (with tax) for single or double rooms. This flat room rate is available until July 14. We suspect that guest rooms will fill up fast, so make your reservations early. Additional lodging and Ramada contact information is available on the Conference website.

Incidentally, for those who are interested in viewing Abandoned Mine Drainage and Abandoned Mine Land sites and can never get enough, there will be an optional bus tour to AMD/AML sites in the State College/Philipsburg area to be held August 11 at an additional cost. The bus tour will last from approximately Noon until 5:00 p.m.

The registration process is a bit different than in years past in that you now have a suite of attendance options to choose from, in an a-la-carte manner, to match your individual need and budget.

Conference planners are still hammering out the final details on speakers, etc. so, check back to the Conference website regularly.

Link: Over 130 Attend 2007 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

5/30/2008