Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 4.10 Environment and Ecology
Presentation #1 Title
Appalachia's Wealth of Natural Resources: What Lies Ahead?
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Appalachia’s Wealth of Natural Resources: What Lies Ahead? While Appalachia holds a wealth of natural resources, from minerals, to flora and fauna, and water and timber, many in the region continue to struggle economically and socially. Great reserves of coal, storied deposits of magnet iron ore, a forest that rivals in variety and expanse any in the northern hemisphere, botanicals prized around the world, and animals providing food and fur have lured people to the mountains for generations. Some, such as coal and timber, are still being exploited, but with an uncertain future. Others such as the iron ore remain with little current interest in their value. Feldspar and quartz retain their market, but mica no longer excites economic interest. Ginseng prices have risen to near record heights, but what is the condition of the current wild population? Timber harvesting, particularly clear cutting, creates dissension among federal, state, and local governments, as well as among conservationists, landowners, and paper and timber companies. Some of these resources, coal for example, are continually under discussion; some, iron ore, have largely fallen out of public notice. What is here, and what is the future for the natural resource wealth of the region? This presentation briefly reviews the past; then closely examines the future for such resources as iron ore, ginseng, feldspar, and quartz, and how this future may impact the population.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Michael Joslin directs the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College where he teaches in the Humanities and Art and Design Programs. As a writer and photographer, he has published six books on the region.
Appalachia's Wealth of Natural Resources: What Lies Ahead?
Corbly Hall 464
Appalachia’s Wealth of Natural Resources: What Lies Ahead? While Appalachia holds a wealth of natural resources, from minerals, to flora and fauna, and water and timber, many in the region continue to struggle economically and socially. Great reserves of coal, storied deposits of magnet iron ore, a forest that rivals in variety and expanse any in the northern hemisphere, botanicals prized around the world, and animals providing food and fur have lured people to the mountains for generations. Some, such as coal and timber, are still being exploited, but with an uncertain future. Others such as the iron ore remain with little current interest in their value. Feldspar and quartz retain their market, but mica no longer excites economic interest. Ginseng prices have risen to near record heights, but what is the condition of the current wild population? Timber harvesting, particularly clear cutting, creates dissension among federal, state, and local governments, as well as among conservationists, landowners, and paper and timber companies. Some of these resources, coal for example, are continually under discussion; some, iron ore, have largely fallen out of public notice. What is here, and what is the future for the natural resource wealth of the region? This presentation briefly reviews the past; then closely examines the future for such resources as iron ore, ginseng, feldspar, and quartz, and how this future may impact the population.
