Restoring America’s Lands: Science and Stewardship for the Next 250 Years

Turning Former Mine Lands into Forests Across Appalachia

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, one family in a small rural corner of Jackson County, Ohio, chose to celebrate by healing the land they call home. Their 60-acre property, a former Abandoned Mine Land (AML) for more than 20 years, had long been a visible reminder of the region's coal mining past. They wanted it to become part of a new story, one of forests, wildlife, and growth.

The landowners first contacted ARRI foresters in 2021, at a time when COVID-19 was changing how people looked at their homes and backyards. Like many families spending more time on their land, they began to see the potential for something better. They asked if the land could be reclaimed and replanted with native trees to support wildlife and bring the ecosystem back.

Because the site clearly involved mining impacts, the landowners were referred to the state partner, the Ohio Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program, to evaluate the property and, if eligible, move it into the reclamation process. Despite pandemic-related delays, the project moved forward. In the following years, the landowners worked closely with the Ohio AML Program in collaboration with Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI). Together, they walked the site, discussed options, and refined a restoration plan.

OSM, ARRI, and the Role of Partnerships

OSM is the federal agency that works with states and tribes to ensure active coal mines are reclaimed and that abandoned mine lands are addressed. ARRI, launched in 2004, promotes the reforestation of previously mined lands across Appalachia. ARRI's mission is to use science-based techniques to turn AML lands back into healthy, diverse forests. The initiative emphasizes planting native trees, improving soil conditions, and restoring wildlife habitat so these lands can again provide environmental, economic, and community benefits for generations.

A Family "Freedom 250" Planting Day

Jackson County has a long coal mining history and was once one of Ohio's important mining regions. This project is part of a broader effort to ensure that this legacy includes restored forests rather than abandoned landscapes. With support from the abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization ( ) programs and ARRI, many sites across Appalachia are being reclaimed and reforested. This project stands out for the landowners' deep personal commitment and their active collaboration with state and federal partners.

This spring, after nearly five years of planning, delays, and coordination among partners, the landowners' vision became a reality. The family hosted a "Freedom 250" tree planting day on the reclaimed site. Several generations gathered to hand-plant seedlings across a 2-acre area, while a professional tree planting crew planted the remaining 58 acres.

Throughout the event, the family flew a "Freedom 250" flag in honor of the nation's 250 years of independence. They planted hundreds of native seedlings in memory of their grandmother, who did not live to see the mine restored. Standing together on newly planted ground, the family and partners could see the transformation of a young forest.

Learn More and Get Involved

As the nation marks America 250, projects like this one in Jackson County prove how communities can honor the past by restoring the lands that helped build it. Abandoned mine sites can be transformed into thriving forests with planning, partnerships, and community involvement.

If you are a landowner or simply interested in how OSMRE, ARRI, and state AML programs are restoring mined lands across Appalachia, visit Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative | Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement . Contact your state AML program to explore opportunities to participate in a project or start one on your land. Using science and partnership, we are restoring former mine lands into resilient forests that benefit American communities and reinforce the nation's natural and economic strength for generations.