Reviving Texas Mined Lands with Science, Skills and Collaboration
In Texas, surface mine reclamation is far more than planting grass and walking away. It’s a process spanning decades, demanding scientific precision, deep environmental knowledge and strong partnerships between public agencies, private companies and research institutions.
For nearly half a century, Texas A&M AgriLife has stood at the forefront of these efforts, collaborating with lignite mining companies, regulators and land management professionals. Their work combines research-backed strategies, hands-on training and forward-thinking restoration plans designed to rebuild functioning ecosystems from the ground up.
Leading this mission is Dr Jake Mowrer, state soil nutrient and water resource specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. As he explains: “This work is more than simply restoring the vegetation. It is about working together to rebuild functional ecosystems from the soil up. Landscape restoration is an intricate process, ultimately fostering the return of organic matter, subsurface ecology and the wildlife that once thrived there.”
From Coal to Conservation
Texas once ranked sixth in the US for coal production, with lignite accounting for 99% of its output. While mining has declined, with several sites such as the Jewett Mine closing in 2016, the work of restoring mined land continues.
Under Texas Railroad Commission regulations, all mined land must be returned to a condition equal to or better than its pre-mining state. Monthly inspections ensure compliance, but the restoration timeline often stretches over decades. At Jewett Mine, reclamation has included the creation of a community garden supplying local food banks — a tangible early win in a much longer process.
Reclamation at sites like Jewett involves a broad coalition: soil scientists, geologists, consulting firms and independent environmental organisations. These teams carry out soil sampling, hydrological analysis and vegetation monitoring, tailoring strategies to each site’s unique conditions.
Innovation and Ingenuity in the Field
The annual Surface Mine Reclamation Workshop, led by Mowrer and industry partners, provides a critical forum for exchanging knowledge, showcasing new research and discussing regulatory developments. Here, technical innovation meets practical fieldwork.
Sometimes, success depends on thinking outside the box. Mowrer recalls one case where ecological experts altered mine plans to protect a rare cactus species, preserving a slice of biodiversity. In another instance, when a decaying tree housing an eagle family posed a risk, reclamation specialists constructed a replica tree — and the eagles returned.
Such interventions highlight the balance between environmental protection and operational requirements, ensuring reclaimed lands are ecologically viable and socially valuable.
Training Today’s Professionals and Tomorrow’s Leaders
Education is central to Texas A&M AgriLife’s reclamation mission. The upcoming 46th annual Surface Mine Reclamation Workshop will once again unite scientists, mining companies and regulators to share insights and strengthen professional networks.
A hallmark of the event is the student poster contest, offering scholarships to undergraduates. This initiative fosters curiosity about land restoration while connecting emerging talent with experienced mentors. As Mowrer notes, these workshops extend the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences’ legacy, influencing multiple generations of scientists and land stewards.
Professional training doesn’t stop there. Through programmes such as the Soil Survey and Land Resource Workshop, AgriLife Extension helps licensed geoscientists and nutrient management planners stay current with the latest scientific and regulatory developments. The Texas Mining and Reclamation Association bolsters this effort, delivering teacher training based on AgriLife-developed materials.
Given that many reclaimed lands are destined for cattle grazing, AgriLife’s work also includes annual short courses for nutrient management planners, with animal scientists advising on sustainable pasture use.
Beyond the Classroom
Mowrer shares further insights on soil health and land management through his Song of the Soil podcast, expanding outreach beyond formal training. By blending research, outreach and practical application, Texas A&M AgriLife delivers a holistic approach to land restoration.
In Mowrer’s words: “We provide the whole picture, from the science involved in restoring the land to training the current and future professionals. We’re equipping people with the knowledge, tools and networks they need to make lasting, positive change. Whether it’s through research, outreach or hands-on training, we’re building a foundation for resilient landscapes and thriving communities. The work we do today is shaping the future of land stewardship across Texas and beyond.”
A Future Built on Resilience
From reclaiming soils and protecting wildlife to training the next generation of environmental professionals, Texas A&M AgriLife’s decades-long commitment is restoring more than land — it’s rebuilding trust, resilience and opportunity across Texas communities.
Through science, skill and steadfast collaboration, they’re ensuring mined landscapes can once again thrive.
