Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS)

03/20/2024

The Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS)’s panel discussion, Anthroposols: Land Reclamation With Human Modified Soils, held on Thursday March 14, was an informative and engaging event, delving into the challenges of classification and use of human-modified soils in Canada. Anthroposols are a topic of great interest to many as evidenced in the diverse and international audience. For those who missed it, the video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/OT-uSGaFF9w .

Anthroposols: Land Reclamation With Human Modified SoilsA Panel DiscussionWhen: Thursday March 14, 2024, 12:00 to 1:30 pmHumans impact everything, including ...

03/05/2024

Join us March 14 at noon for a virtual panel discussion on human modified soils, otherwise known as Anthroposols, and land reclamation.

Learn about their classification and use and importance to reclaiming disturbed lands. Five expert panelists will share their perspectives from academia, industry, consulting and government.

See poster, and feel free to share as everyone is welcome!

02/16/2024

ASSW 2024 Soils Tour
The Alberta Soils Tour (AST) is held biannually to facilitate regional interaction among professionals, students, and enthusiasts in soil science and related fields. The tour provides hands-on field opportunities for professional development, learning, and collaboration. Typically, 40 to 100 attendees gather for a 2- or 3-day program that consists of investigating sites representing a range of different soils, as well as abundant networking opportunities.

The AST and the Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW) were born the same year (1962) under the umbrella of the Alberta Advisory Fertilizer Committee. The two events went hand by hand for the last 61 years, but the role of ASSW in AST evolved with time. From 1962 to 1988, both were organized by the Alberta Soil Advisory Committee (ASAC). In 1989, the ASAC was abolished and the initiative was held by volunteers. Between 1990 and 2013, ASSW sponsored the AST, which was organized by a group of enthusiasts. In 2017, ASSW adopted the AST, taking the responsibility to organize a volunteer-led tour every two years.

The 2024 Alberta Soils Tour will be a 2-day tour from May 29-30, 2024 exploring the Boreal Transition Region from Kikino to Bonnyville to Cold Lake. Tour leaders for the trip will be Elise Neumann and Jeff Battigelli.

Registration deadline is May 1, 2024
Itinerary, Accomodation, Costs:https://soilsworkshop.ab.ca/files/2024/2024%20Alberta%20Soils%20Tour.pdf
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-alberta-soils-tour-boreal-transition-region-tickets-796248369307?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/16/2024

SER Northwest Chapter Panel Event:
Students and Emerging Professionals: Careers in Environmental Restoration Panel
You are invited to join the SER Northwest Chapter for an exciting discussion on “Careers in Environmental Restoration” happening Thursday, 29 February 2024 from 12 pm to 1 pm PST on Zoom. Register here.
The conversation will feature four practitioners from the Northwest region of the USA, showcasing different sides of the restoration industry: nursery management, restoration consulting, and non-profit stewardship.
The panelists will share stories of their career paths and offer insider tips for growing as a leader in the restoration industry. SER Northwest chapter representatives will also discuss how to start SER student associations, and ways to get involved in the upcoming SER 2024 North American Conference.

02/01/2024

Salix Resource Management Ltd has job opportunities open for Junior Environmental Consultants, full time and temporary summer positions.

02/01/2024

Choice Environmental Consulting Group has two job opportunities available for Junior/Intermediate Environmental Consultant and for Vegetation Management or Environmental Technician. More information can be found here:

Choice treats our people like family. As such, we are proud to include everyone at Choice in our Total Rewards Program. A few of the perks include: Competitive Salary Overtime Pay Field Work & Performance Bonuses Profit Sharing Opportunities Vacation & Holiday Pay Group Benefits Program Mobile Phone...

08/25/2023

RENR PhD Graduate Defense Seminar
Assessment of Perennial Cereals in Central Alberta: Productivity and Environmental Performance

Name: Erin Daly
Degree: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Guillermo Hernandez Ramirez
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: 442B Earth Sciences Building (ESB)
Zoom Link: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/98644442678?pwd=WnpYNXZkS28raGhGUFJpaHNUalFVQT09

Abstract:
Perennial grain crops are a novel amalgam of annually harvested grain crops and perennial forage crops, which are of great interest due to their purported ability to rectify several environmental challenges originating from modern agricultural production while continuing to deliver agricultural products. We completed a five-year field study to quantify the environmental performance and agronomic productivity of a perennial grain crop (Secale cereale L. × S. montanum Guss cv. ACE-1), as well as the greenhouse gas dynamics upon conversion of the perennial grain crop via tillage to a subsequent annual crop. Additionally, we investigated soil N2O priming, a mechanistic understanding of which is essential for the quantification, prediction, and mitigation of N2O emissions. In sum, this dissertation investigates several considerations with respect to perennial grain cropping, including their effects on N cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, soil physical quality, and their agronomic capabilities to determine their potential to contribute to sustainable agroecosystems.

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07/05/2023

RENR MSc Graduate Defense Seminar

Wildfire impacts to soil in Alberta’s southern Rocky Mountains: pyrogenic carbon abundance and character on a post-wildfire landscape

Name: Nathan Storey
Degree: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Sylvie Quideau, Dr. Miles Dyck
Date: Friday, July 7, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: 4-42B Earth Sciences Building (ESB)

Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) is a broad class of fire byproducts produced during wildfire. This study assessed watersheds affected by the Kenow Wildfire in 2017 in Waterton Park. Soil was sampled in 2018 from 0-5 cm and 2021, from 0-5 and 5-15 cm in depth and analyzed for TC, TN, particle size distribution, and PyC quantity via chemical oxidation and chemical composition via pyrolysis-GCMS. Sites were assessed for slope and aspect characteristics. Relationships between PyC and time, depth, burn status, soil texture class, and total carbon were evaluated. Soils from burned watersheds showed enrichment of PyC directly following wildfire and four years afterwards. Levels decreased on short timescales in shallow soils, leading to substantial increases in benzene/aromatics and PAHs in soil from 5-15 cm. The PyC content of soil total carbon decreased on a gradient of time since fire, potentially diluted by OM deposition.

06/08/2023

Check out the profile of former Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) member - Convocation ‘23: Prem Pokharel, PhD Soil Science
https://www.ualberta.ca/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/news/2023/convocation/prem-pokharel.html

Born and raised in a small farming village in Nepal, Prem Pokharel learned about tending the soil from his parents. Their careful stewardship of the land inspired Prem to follow his curiosity to Canada, and eventually, to the University of Alberta to deepen his knowledge about sustainable agriculture and soil science.

In spite of many successes along the way, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Forced to adapt his research to the COVID-19 restrictions, Prem’s ability to pivot in the face of adversity was a learning curve that he didn’t expect but now appreciates, building confidence in his own leadership and resourcefulness in crisis situations.

An outstanding student in every way, Prem has won many prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Western Grains Research Foundation Endowment Fund Graduate Scholarship, NSERC CGS-D and the Killam Memorial Scholarship. Earlier this year, he received the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences’ 2022-2023 Graduate Student Thesis Award.

Currently working as a research scientist with Suvaris Inc, Prem's long-term goals are to find solutions to combat global climate change through mitigation of GHG emissions from agriculture and helping farmers improve their crops’ nutrient use efficiency.

Congratulations Prem!

Born and raised in a small farming village in Nepal, Prem Pokharel learned about tending the soil from his parents. Their careful stewardship of the land inspired Prem to follow his curiosity to Canada, and eventually, to the University of Alberta to deepen his knowledge about sustainable agricultur...

06/06/2023

Our Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) students are exploring Alberta wetlands with Dr. David Locky MacEwan University. Heading into the field to get hands-on this afternoon

04/13/2023

Congrats to Stephanie Chute-Ibsen on being one of the 2023’s Campus Sustainability Leaders Award winners

Six outstanding individuals who are making our campus, and our world, a more sustainable place

10/21/2022

Sustainability Awareness Week, " Resilience, Intentionality, and Uplifting Our World" is from October 24 - 28 and highlights campus sustainability initiatives, social and environmental issues and building connection beyond campus. The Land Reclamation International Graduate School (LRIGS) will have a display set up during the kick off event on Monday, October 24, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in SUB main floor. Stop by to learn about land reclamation, the LRIGS program and how it can benefit you and your career, and for a chance to win a backpack!
For more information visit https://www.ualberta.ca/sustainability/events/sustainability-awareness-week/index.html.