Arbor Day Foundation Helps Restore Former Mine Sites
The Arbor Day Foundation, a non- profit group, is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and the Green Forests Work, another non-profit group, to help bring old mining sites back to life in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
The project began in 2010 and has a goal of reclaiming 25.000 acres of this beautiful area. Old mining sites, once privately owned, are now part of the National Forest system and can now be tended to properly. Some mining companies planted non-native plants or just abandoned the sites. What was left was a mess of invasive plant species, eroding soil, plugged waterways and streams, and bare spots.
The restoration process was controversial at first because large earth-moving machines had to rip up the unsuccessful attempts at restoration in order to replant native species. A bio-diverse mix of hardwood seedlings were planted, as well as other native shrubs and trees. After the first 90 acres of restorative work was completed, and the process found to be sound, the partnership has planted from 100 to 200 acres each year in the forest. Especially important for the area is the replanting of the red spruce tree. It is a key member of the ecology of over 300 species of plant and animal wildlife.
Beyond wildlife habitats, the restoration process has many other benefits. It keeps runoff away from streams, insuring clean water for fishing, recreation and human consumption. It helps prevent flooding and acts as a carbon sink. The capture of carbon is one step in preventing climate change.
This is a worthwhile endeavor and only one of the many different projects undertaken by the Arbor Day Foundation. To learn more about other projects like restoring the world’s rain-forest, planting trees in a national forest to honor a person or a pet that has died, buying environmentally grown coffee, or buying trees for your yard, please go to www.arborday.org.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s home is in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It has a great discovery and learning park, tree nursery, retreat center/hotel, demonstration of bio-fuel use to run the retreat center, and a long list of fun events throughout the year. It is kid-friendly and close enough for a fun outing.
Earth Steward Action: Plant a tree in your yard or plant a native plant that attracts pollinators. If so inclined, donate to the Arbor Day foundation to support its work in the world.
Source: www.arborday.org, Arbor Day Magazine for May/June 2021 (can be found on their site) or for more information, including a booklet on how to plant a tree, call 888-448-7337.