Maccaferri, whose geotechnical solutions include geosynthetics, gabions, rockfall netting, and other materials, is adding to the international body of information on rockfall barrier systems with a series of progressively tougher barrier system trials. These tests are revealing boundaries, potential failure mechanisms, and full strength capabilities of today's engineered systems. Learn more about Maccaferri's trials here and watch a video of their most recent test from Italy in which a weight equivalent to a tractor trailer was dropped from 125 ft. onto a barrier system. Following this trial's successful system performance, even larger tests are being planned.

The Ballina Bypass Alliance (BBA) received the award for the local community generating value for the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and community. The $640m project managed significant technical complexity and left a positive technical, safety, community and value for money legacy for future projects. Coffey Geotechnics played a key role in the work. Learn more about how the alliance of geotechnical experts involved in the project achieved such significant success on this project (which has previously been profiled on Geosynthetica).

Freecycling is the act of recycling what is destined for a landfill by giving it away to those who can still utilize the original materials. For the manufacture of geosynthetics, this may represent a huge opportunity to reduce the amount of material that is landfilled simply by default of being "waste" from the perspective of the conventional manufacturing, shipping, and storage side of the business. Geofabrics Australasia recently engaged in a highly successful freecycling trial in the Albury/Wodonga area of New South Wales, thanks to a strong freecycling organization and the dedicated efforts of a Geofabrics employee.

This year marks the 118th annual meeting of the Northwest Mining Association. The NMA has grown steadily to become a high point for mining engineering discussions in the United States, with strong keynotes, networking, sessions, short courses, and a busy exhibition space. Learn about new technologies, heap leach design advances, closure strategies, and much more. The NMA's gathering takes place 2-7 December 2012 in Spokane, Washington. Learn more in the event brochure (updated 10/25/12) and visit the conference website for registration. Learn more here.;

American Environmental Group Ltd has grown to become one of the largest suppliers and installers of geosynthetic materials in North America, with offices across the country and multiple divisions. The company currently has a Geosynthetics Technical Manager position open at its Richfield, Ohio headquarters. Learn more about the qualifications and expectations here. And please share this opportunity with the geosynthetics experts you know who may be right for the position.

The Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association drafted a new Maintenance Agreement for use by state and local government agencies in setting an ordinance requiring the maintenance of all stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). A sample Operation and Maintenance Agreement is contained in this document that includes templates for inspection checklists for each type of BMP, including water quality buffers. The inspection checklists can also serve as an inspection report for each facility.

The International Erosion Control Association's membership voted to re-elect Charles R. Riling, Jr., and Brock Peters, CISEC to the Region One 2013 Board of Directors. Joining Riling and Peters to the 2013 Board of Directors is new board member Craig S. Benson. The IECA Region One Board of Directors is made up of nine members, each serving a three-year term. Board positions will be decided at the Board meeting to be held at Environmental Connection 2013, IECA's annual conference and expo, February 10-13, 2013, in San Diego, CA, USA.

Raven Industries Engineered Films Division has announced the addition of VaporBlock® G™, an innovative under-concrete-slab vapor barrier produced with a layer of post-consumer recycled content. VaporBlock G is the first vapor barrier on the market to exceed ASTM E1745-11, Class "A", and qualify under the LEED Building Design and Construction 2009 Edition, Materials and Resources, Credit 4 (Recycled Content) for 1 LEED point. VaporBlock G is co-extruded using state-of-the-art premium resins in the outer layers and 10% post-consumer recycled content in the core layer. The official product launch takes place 14–16 November 2012, in conjunction with the GREENBUILD® conference in San Francisco, CA.

Terrafix Geosynthetics is sponsoring a workshop with internationally renowned geotechnical and geosynthetics practitioner Dr. R. Kerry Rowe. The event has limited space so pre-registration is a must. Register now for a spot at the January 8 session in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Contact bherlin@terrafixgeo.com for registration information and visit the event information page for more details. Learn more here.;

Environmental Connection 2013, annual conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), is the world's largest soil and water event. Combining quality education with a world-class expo, Environmental Connection 2013 is the premier gathering place for the erosion and sediment control community. Don't miss out as Environmental Connection comes to San Diego, 10–13 February 2013. Learn more about the short courses, early registration rate, and much more here.