West Virginia University has led the nation in outreach and scholarship in the area of land reclamation, the restoration of sites disturbed by mineral extraction, highway construction and other activities that are destructive to soil. The WVU Extension Service was the first to employ a specialist in this critical area.

Jeff Skousen, the scholar who has served as WVU Extension’s land reclamation specialist and on the soil science faculty in WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, has earned the William T. Plass Award from the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. He will accept the award at the Society’s national conference in June in Lexington, Ky.

The award, the society’s most prestigious, was established to honor Plass for his long-time commitment to mine land reclamation and for his major role in the establishment and organization of ASMR. The Plass Award recognizes outstanding national and international contributions in the areas of teaching and research as they relate to land reclamation.

“I was surprised to be nominated and selected for this award,” Skousen said. “The people who have received this award previously are influential and prominent in the mining and reclamation field, and I’m honored to be included in this group.

“But, even though this award is given to one person, the award really recognizes an excellent reclamation program composed of many individuals, researchers and colleagues who work in this vital area across WVU, West Virginia and the Appalachian region,” he added. “Much of our work at WVU would not be possible without the support, site access, and contributions from mining companies, consultants, and federal and state regulators.”

Skousen joined WVU Extension and the Davis College faculty in 1986. Over the course of his career at WVU, he has served as president of the ASMR and brought their annual meeting to West Virginia twice. He has received the Gerry and Ethel Heebink Award for Distinguished State Service twice, for beginning service in 1994 and for extended service in 2014.

He has shared his expertise with reclamation scholars in South Korea, Canada, China, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, Russia and Germany. His active research agenda includes examining the effects of surface and underground coal mining on water quality, and post-mining land use development including reforestation and the use of bioenergy crops. He successfully mentors both 4-H and FFA students and undergraduate and graduate students to gain greater understanding of soil and water science in land reclamation.

“This award not only represents Jeff’s significant contributions to the field, but is also a true testament to his ability to take university-level research and then provide information and solutions that impact and better the state and its people,” said Steven C. Bonanno, dean and director of the WVU Extension Service.

“Jeff is thoroughly professional, showing tremendous dedication to his students and making a positive difference on the landscape,” said Daniel J. Robison, dean of the Davis College. “This high honor from ASMR is a recognition of what we see about Jeff every day at WVU as he works to improve our scientific understanding of managed landscapes and to help others learn and apply those findings.”

As much as WVU and West Virginia have benefited from Skousen’s contributions over the year, he says he’s been “fortunate to be around a wonderful group of dedicated people who look to the future, are willing to try new things and implement practices to improve land reclamation and environmental sustainability. I have been the lucky one.”

-WVU-

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CONTACT: David Welsh, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304.293.2394, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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