Humans love the outdoors. We love to observe it, recreate in it, listen to it, and we depend on its resources to drive our economy and build cool stuff. Unfortunately, the way we go about extracting some of these resources can sometimes leave nature worse for wear. In comes land reclamation to save the day! Reclamation of environmental resources is a tricky, complex, and fascinating science. From building soils like Anthroposols (human-made soil) to fixing waterways, land reclamation is one very cool way to rebuild what was lost.

Your Forest Podcast by Matthew Kristoff

Defining Land Reclamation with Anne Naeth

Episode highlight

Dr. Anne Naeth is Professor of Land Reclamation and Restoration Ecology, Director of the Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS), Director of the Energy Systems Signature Area, Director of the Future Energy Systems Research Program, all at the University of Alberta. In this episode, she defines the types of land reclamation and who should be held responsible for it and how to create a sustainable future for us all.

Resources

University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences | Major

in Land Reclamation:

https://www.ualberta.ca/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/programs/undergraduate-

programs/degree-programs/environmental-conservation-sciences/land-reclamation/index.html

Sponsors

West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/

GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/

Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/

Giveaway

Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!

Quotes

16.08 - 16.23: “Land reclamation, put very simply, is taking land that has been disturbed and

reclaiming it, getting it back to what it was either before the disturbance or to some other

productive use.”

17.35 - 17.45: “Ecological restoration is really building that broader ecosystem rather than

focussing on a particular end land use.”

25.12- 25.19: “What is it that we need as stewards of the land in that particular area at that

particular time?”

27.38 - 27.58: “I teach in land reclamation, that it’s not just about our romantic views or our

ideals but it’s about what is appropriate - and appropriate of course is a loaded word as well -

but what is appropriate for the time, for the place, for the people in that particular area.”

40.39 - 40.59: “We have learned so much just by working with nature and understanding

ecological processes that now there is augmented natural recovery and in some cases, what

would be considered doing nothing is the best approach to be taking for that particular

restoration.”

44.36 - 44.42: “We have to always remember that land reclamation, in itself, is a disturbance.”

47.39 - 47.48: “We are part of the environment… we can’t talk about ourselves as being

separate from nature, we are part of nature.”

1.02.05 - 1.02.13: “There are many good companies and they take their responsibility seriously

and they will do the best that they can.”

1.055.55 - 1.06.22: “If we as consumers make smart choices and we decide we’re going to

make our choices for whatever we need... then you know we have a lot of control too because if

we’re saying we’re not buying your product because you don’t clean up your environmental

messes then that product becomes less valuable for that particular company.”

1.06.42 - 1.07.01: “It’s hard when you are raising a family, you don’t have a great paycheque

and... you’re just trying to... make ends meet, you’re not necessarily going to make sustainable

environmental choices. You’re going to take the cheapest fuel or whatever you have to spend

less money for.”

1.21.51 - 1.22.00: “This whole COVID scenario just really reminded me of what we can do when

we put our hearts and minds into it when we work together.”

1.22.49 - 1.22.56: “You mess around with the environment, nobody’s going to buy your stuff. So,

get on board and do what you need to be doing.”

Takeaways

Nature trailblazer (6.08)

Living on a farm as a child, Anne loved nature. When she took botany in her pre-medical study at university, she decided to switch to environmental studies. She worked with the University of Alberta to create an individual master’s program in land reclamation so she could explore the subject. She completed many courses in plant and soil science to earn the first land reclamation degree there. Nature conservation is her passion and duty, she says.

Where can you learn about land reclamation? (10.23)

Anne has been actively involved in developing land reclamation studies at the University of Alberta. Land reclamation is offered as a major in the bachelor’s program in environmental and conservation sciences. The master’s and doctoral programs are a broad offering with many areas of focus. The Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) began in 2012 and delves into international aspects of land reclamation, in keeping with the times.

Terms of reclamation (15.30)

Anne explains land reclamation as bringing disturbed land back to its original state (ecological) or to productive use (agricultural). Restoration, remediation of contaminants and revegetation are components of land reclamation. The terms are used differently across the planet and sometimes interchangeably. However, she is mindful of the legal implications of the terms from her experience with the Environmental Appeals Board and considers land reclamation to be the scientifically appropriate term.

Land ownership and responsibility (28.26)

Anne believes that “land reclamation practitioners should be involved in the planning before the disturbance, not just coming in and cleaning up the mess after”. The planning decisions are made differently in each province in Canada based on ownership (private or crown). Landowners are expected to complete documentation before undertaking any disturbing activity and are held accountable to their reclamation plan in order to get a reclamation certificate.

To whom the land belongs (32.21)

Anne believes land reclamation plans should be developed in consultation with indigenous spiritual perspectives and traditional ecological values because “the soil can be rebuilt, the plant community can be reestablished but we don’t necessarily have that sense of place; the spirit of the land isn’t brought back”. Land reclamation has now evolved from only a science-based practice to one where the spirit is considered.

Conscientious reclamation (42.49)

Land reclamation projects have evolved conscious stages to manage any ecological issues that may come up since the reclamation process is itself disturbing to the land. Different approaches are taken based on how populated the area is. Less invasive techniques like drones are being employed for monitoring purposes in sensitive environments. Anthroposols (soils made by humans) are being created to reclaim the land where natural materials are not available.

The future of reclamation (56.34)

Today, before land reclamation plans can be approved, companies have to separate the soil horizons and use natural materials to ensure the viability of the land reclaimed. Anne imagines a time when companies trade soil layers to ensure maximum viability through timely use, though ownership and cost may be hindrances. She also hopes that companies will be given a time frame in which to reclaim disturbed lands and only be allowed a certain amount of disturbance in a certain period.

Miles to go (1.02.51)

Anne laments that there are some philosophical and practical hurdles to overcome, and tradeoffs between the environment and economy that will have to be made to continue our modern way of life. The industry, other peers, and consumers along with regulators could exert pressure on companies to operate sustainably. However, end consumers should not be expected to carry the weight of responsibility through their choices.

Making regulation work (1.09.06)

Anne observes that Alberta has a stringent certification process that has evolved to regulate the operations of companies and hold them accountable to sustainability. She recommends conducting more studies on the ecosystems of the lands being reclaimed to truly assess the ecological impact of the operations and reclamations. Monitoring metrics need to be refined based on the type of land.

Orphaned oil wells (1.15.59)

When companies go bankrupt or cease operations, they abandon their oil wells, reneging their responsibility of reclamation. The Orphan Well Association reclaims these using the deposits the companies had paid before beginning operations. Anne suggests that each company should be given the responsibility to reclaim one oil well pro bono every year with the help of land reclamation students. Abandoned oil wells could also be used for geothermal projects.

The future is in whose hands? (1.21.36)

Anne worries that we may be taking too long to implement positive changes to protect the environment, but is excited by the new technologies and ideas pouring into this space from people concerned about sustainability. She is also hopeful about youth entering environmental careers or choosing sustainability as a way of life and her observation that “the environment is important to them even if they are living in the city”.