Starting this Friday, scientists and practitioners will gather in Wooster, Ohio for the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Midwest-Great Lakes Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SENR). Dr. Charles Goebel, associate professor and assistant director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), and one of the organizers of the meeting noted, "We're excited to be partnering with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) as hosts for the conference. The goal of this years’ meeting, to explore how the field of ecological restoration can assist other disciplines with achieving their sustainability goals and vice-versa, is right in step with the mission of the SENR and OARDC. The meeting will highlight not only the role of the biophysical sciences in restoring ecosystem structure and function, but also the critical role social sciences play in achieving these restoration goals."
At this year's meeting presenters will share their research and experiences involving prairie, forest, savanna, river/stream, and wetland restoration with some topics covering restoration in urban areas, plant succession on reclaimed mine habitats, solutions to waste water management, modeling invasive species growth. One of the highlights of the meeting Dr. Goebel says will be the keynote address. He notes, "We're thrilled that the keynote address will be delivered by former SENR Director and Professor Emeritus Dr. Mohan Wali, and will highlight a plenary session focused on the interdisciplinary insights for guiding future ecological restoration and sustainability efforts," Other program highlights include plenary sessions, three symposia, and poster and oral presentations reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the meeting theme.